preserve

10 definitions • 16 examples

to keep something as it is, especially in order to prevent it from decaying or being damaged or destroyed:

to preserve the environment

We want to preserve the character of the town while improving the facilities.

The agreement preserved our right to limit trade in endangered species.

Putting varnish on wood is a way of preserving it.

I need to get out of the house from time to time just to preserve (= prevent me from losing) my sanity.

to treat food in a particular way so that it can be kept for a long time without going bad:

preserved fruit

oranges preserved in brandy

a food made from fruit or vegetables boiled with sugar and water until it becomes a firm sauce:

apricot preserve

jars of preserves

an activity that only one person or a particular type of person does or is responsible for:

Owning racehorses is the preserve of the rich.

Sport used to be a male preserve.

to keep something as it is, esp. in order to prevent it from decaying or to protect it from being damaged or destroyed:

The committee will suggest ways to preserve historically important buildings in the downtown area.

To preserve food is to treat it in a particular way so it can be kept for a long time without going bad:

My grandmother preserved cherries in syrup.

an activity that only one person or a particular type of person does or is responsible for:

The gardening is Jeanne’s special preserve.

an area of land kept in its natural state, esp. for hunting and fishing or for raising animals and fish:

a wildlife preserve

fruit cooked with sugar:

apricot preserves