preserve

[[t]prɪzɜ͟ː(r)v[/t]]

♦♦♦

preserves, preserving, preserved

1) VERB If you preserve a situation or condition, you make sure that it remains as it is, and does not change or end.

[V n] We will do everything to preserve peace...

[V n] The meeting will be about squeezing in more students while preserving standards.

Syn:

maintain

Derived words:

preservation [[t]pre̱zə(r)ve͟ɪʃ(ə)n[/t]] N-UNCOUNT

...the preservation of the status quo.

2) VERB If you preserve something, you take action to save it or protect it from damage or decay.

[V n] We need to preserve the forest...

[V n] Conservation is an issue which gets a lot of attention these days - whether it means preserving old buildings, or protecting the environment.

[V-ed] ...perfectly preserved medieval houses.

Syn:

conserve

Ant:

destroy

Derived words:

preservation N-UNCOUNT

...the preservation of buildings of architectural or historic interest.

3) VERB If you preserve food, you treat it in order to prevent it from decaying so that you can store it for a long time.

[V n] I like to make puree, using only enough sugar to preserve the plums.

[V-ed] ...preserved ginger in syrup.

4) N-PLURAL Preserves are foods such as jam that are made by cooking fruit with a large amount of sugar so that they can be stored for a long time.

5) N-COUNT: usu N of n If you say that a job or activity is the preserve of a particular person or group of people, you mean that they are the only ones who take part in it.

The making and conduct of foreign policy is largely the preserve of the president...

With the menfolk away at war, women got their first crack at the male preserves of employment and sport.

Syn:

domain

6) N-COUNT: usu supp N A nature preserve is an area of land or water where animals are protected from hunters. [AM]

...Pantanal, one of the world's great wildlife preserves.

Syn:

reserve