reserve
Verbreserves, reserving, reserved
Noun pluralreserves
Formsreserves, reserving, reserved
Pluralreserves
- 1To book something ahead of time so it is saved for you.
Like putting your name on something so no one else can take it.
I reserved a table for six at the new restaurant.
Please reserve two seats for the evening show before they sell out.
UsageLike book. You reserve a table, or you make a reservation.
- 2To keep something back instead of giving it away.
Like holding something behind your back instead of handing it over.
Banks reserve the right to close any account.
The judge reserved her ruling for a later date.
UsageOften in reserve the right to do something, and reserve judgment (wait before you decide).
Similarhold
Oppositerelinquish, surrender, waive
- 3To save something for later or for a special time.
Like keeping your favorite candy for last.
We reserve the good plates for holidays.
He reserved his best joke for the end of the speech.
UsageYou reserve something for someone or for a special time: reserved for guests.
Similarsave
Note
- 4An amount of something, such as money or supplies, saved until it is needed.
We keep a reserve of bottled water in the basement in case of storms.
Bears live on their fat reserves through the long winter.
UsageOften plural. You keep something in reserve and draw on it when you need it.
- 5An area of land or water set apart and protected for a special use, such as for wildlife.
Like an area roped off and saved just for one use.
They hiked through a nature reserve all afternoon.
The new reserve protects thousands of rare birds.
UsageOften nature reserve or game reserve.
Similarsanctuary, preserve, refuge
Note
- 6An amount of a natural resource that is known to be there but not yet taken out.
Like money in an account you have not yet taken out.
The country has a huge oil reserve under the desert.
New drilling revealed a gas reserve beneath the seabed.
UsageUsually plural: oil reserves, gas reserves.
Similardeposit
Note
- 7A part of the military made up of trained people who usually serve part-time and can be called in when needed.
My uncle joined the reserves after college and trains one weekend a month.
She works as a nurse, but she is also in the Army Reserve.
UsageYou serve in the reserves, and you can be called up to help.
Note
- 8A quiet, careful way of behaving that holds back your feelings.
Like keeping a door only half open instead of letting everyone in.
She spoke with great reserve about her private life.
His natural reserve made him seem distant at parties.
UsageA quiet, careful person has reserve, or is reserved.
- 9A player who waits to join a game and take the place of a tired or hurt teammate.
Like a spare player who steps in when someone needs a rest.
The coach sent in a reserve when the striker got hurt.
She started the season as a reserve but soon earned a starting spot.
Similarsubstitute, replacement, backup
Oppositestarter
Note
- 10A group of soldiers kept back from a battle, ready to help when needed.
Like keeping extra players on the sideline until the game really needs them.
The general held a reserve behind the front line.
A fresh reserve turned the tide of the battle.
Similarreinforcements
Note
- 11Land set aside for an Aboriginal group to live on and use.
Her family has lived on the reserve for three generations.
Her grandmother grew up on a First Nations reserve in Manitoba.
UsagePeople live on the reserve. In the US, people say reservation.
Similarreservation
Note
Less common meanings
- 12The act of keeping something back, or of leaving something out as an exception.
Like saying yes to something while still keeping one little 'but' in mind.
She agreed to the plan without any reserve.
I can recommend this doctor to you without reserve.
UsageMostly in without reserve, meaning fully.
Similarqualification, proviso, condition, limitation
Note
- 13The lowest price a seller will accept for something at an auction.
Like a secret bottom price the seller will not go under.
The painting failed to meet its reserve and went unsold.
Bidding stopped just below the reserve.
UsageAlso reserve price. No reserve means it sells at any price.
- 14Special wine that a maker keeps back and ages before selling it.
Like keeping the best cookies in a tin for a special day instead of eating them now.
The winery sells its reserve only after the wine has aged for years.
They poured a glass of the reserve to celebrate the anniversary.
- 15To leave something out as an exception and not include it.
Note
- 16At a show or competition, a placing that gives someone the prize if a winner is disqualified.
- 17In solitaire, the extra pile of cards dealt at the start to use during the game.
- 18An area left plain, with no color or decoration on it.
- 19A substance that covers parts of a surface to keep dye or metal from reaching them.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of reserve apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
From Latin reservō, meaning "to keep back," through Old French reserver.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Reserve derives from Latin reservō through Old French reserver. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin reservō means “to keep back.” en.wiktionary.org