preserve

Saypri-ZURV/pɹəˈzɝv/UK/pɹəˈzɜːv/

6 meanings of preserve

1
verbtransitive
To keep someone or something safe from harm or damage.
Like holding an umbrella over a friend to keep the rain off.
Firefighters worked through the night to preserve the old church from the flames.
We must preserve clean rivers so future families have safe water.
Similarprotect, safeguard, save, shield, defend
Oppositedestroy, endanger
2
verbtransitive
To keep something the same over time, without letting it change or break.
Like keeping a photo in an album so it stays nice for many years.
They worked hard to preserve peace between the two villages.
Good habits help you preserve your health as you get older.
Similarmaintain, conserve, keep, retain, sustain
Oppositedestroy, alter
3
verbtransitive
To stop food from going bad by adding something like salt or sugar.
Like packing fruit in sugar so it stays good for months instead of rotting.
Grandma likes to preserve peaches in jars every summer.
People in cold places use salt to preserve fish for the winter.
Similarcure, can
4
nouncountable or uncountable
A sweet, thick food made from fruit and sugar, spread on bread.
Like jam, but often with bigger pieces of fruit inside.
She spread strawberry preserve on her warm toast.
The little shop sells homemade preserve in glass jars.
Similarjam, jelly, marmalade, conserve
5
nouncountable
An area of land kept safe so wild plants and animals can live there.
Like a safe home where wild animals can live without being bothered.
Deer wandered freely across the protected preserve.
Visitors must stay on the marked trails inside the preserve.
Similarreserve, sanctuary, refuge
6
nounusually singular
Something that only one group of people is allowed to do or take part in.
Like a club that only members are allowed to enter.
For years, golf was the preserve of the rich.
Science should not be the preserve of a few clever people.
Similardomain, province, territory

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of preserve apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Latin words meaning "before" and "to keep," giving the sense of guarding something in advance. It reached English through French.