# reserve

/ɹiˈzɝv/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reserve
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to book in advance

verb · CEFR A2

to arrange to have a seat, room, or table kept for you at a later time.

For teachers: to engage or book a service or facility in advance to ensure availability.

- I would like to reserve a table for four people at seven o'clock tonight.
- The travel agency advised us to reserve our accommodation months in advance to avoid the steep price increases during the peak summer season.

Usage: Often used with 'for' to indicate the person or time.

### 2. to keep for later

verb · CEFR B1

to keep something for a particular person or a special reason.

For teachers: to set something aside for a specific purpose or person; to retain a right or power.

- The judge will reserve her decision until she has seen all the evidence.
- The publisher reserves the right to edit any submitted manuscripts for length and clarity before they go to print.

Usage: Common in legal contexts, especially in the phrase 'reserve the right'.

### 3. extra supply

noun · CEFR B2

a supply of something that is kept so that it can be used if it is needed.

For teachers: a supply of a commodity or resource not needed for immediate use but available if required.

- The country has a large reserve of oil to use during emergencies.
- The central bank increased its foreign currency reserves to protect the national economy against sudden market fluctuations.

### 4. protected area

noun · CEFR B1

an area of land where animals and plants are protected.

For teachers: a tract of land managed so as to preserve its flora, fauna, and physical features.

- We spent the afternoon at the nature reserve watching the rare birds.
- The government designated the coastal wetlands as a biological reserve to prevent industrial development from destroying the local ecosystem.

### 5. shy behaviour

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a quality in someone's personality that makes them keep their feelings private.

For teachers: a lack of openness or familiarity in manner; a tendency to be quiet and controlled.

- It took a long time to get to know him because of his natural reserve.
- Despite her professional reserve, she was known among her close friends for her sharp wit and generous spirit.

### 6. substitute player

noun · CEFR B1

a player who is available to replace another player if needed.

For teachers: an extra player in a team who is ready to play if a regular player is injured or unavailable.

- He was disappointed to be named as a reserve for the championship match.
- The coach decided to bring on two reserves during the second half to provide the team with fresh energy.

### 7. military force

noun · CEFR B2

soldiers who are not in the regular army but can be called to fight if needed.

For teachers: a body of troops kept back from action to reinforce others or available for service in an emergency.

- The army called up the reserves when the conflict began to escalate.
- After serving four years of active duty, he remained in the naval reserves while pursuing his university degree.

## Examples

- The country has a large reserve of oil.
- The central bank maintains a significant foreign currency reserve to stabilize the economy during market volatility.
- While the nature reserve provides a sanctuary for endangered species, the local government must balance conservation efforts with the growing demand for sustainable tourism infrastructure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.