WordLens

preserve

1 of 2verb
/prɪˈzɝv/
Forms:preserves,preserving,preserved,preserved
1

to cause something to remain in its original state without any significant change

B2transitive
  • Historical artifacts are preserved in museums to maintain their original condition.
  • Conservation efforts work to preserve natural ecosystems and biodiversity.
  • The library's climate control system helps preserve rare books from damage.
  • The team is currently preserving the historical documents in a controlled environment.
Antonyms:
2

to prevent food from spoiling, typically by canning or pickling

transitive
  • My grandmother preserves fruits from her garden by making them into jams and jellies.
  • Last year, we preserved the surplus tomatoes by canning them for use in sauces during the winter.
  • Pickling cucumbers is a popular way to preserve them for later enjoyment.
  • To extend the life of vegetables, we have been freezing them after blanching to preserve their freshness.
  • The ancient technique of fermenting cabbage was used to preserve it as sauerkraut.
Synonyms:
3

to protect something against danger or harm

B2transitive
  • It's important to preserve natural habitats to protect endangered species.
  • The conservationists work tirelessly to preserve endangered species in their natural habitats.
  • Parents often try to preserve their children's innocence for as long as possible.
  • The environmental organization campaigns to preserve wetlands as crucial ecosystems for wildlife and water purification.
4

to set something aside and maintain it for a particular or private use

transitive
  • He preserved the old library for his personal collection of antique books.
  • The company preserved certain resources exclusively for high-priority projects.
  • The chef preserved his finest ingredients for the weekend’s special menu.
  • He preserved his weekend mornings for relaxation and reflection.
  • The director preserved several offices in the building for VIP clients.
Synonyms:
5

to protect an area or population of wild animals from disturbance so it can be used for private hunting or shooting

transitive
  • The estate was carefully preserved to allow private hunting of deer.
  • They preserved the land for exclusive hunting rights among members.
  • The forest is preserved to ensure ample game for seasonal hunting events.
  • Wealthy landowners often preserve vast areas for exclusive game hunting.
  • Gamekeepers work hard to preserve the wildlife for private shooting activities.