Meaning of preserve In English

• 0 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.

  • preserved fruit

  • oranges preserved in brandy

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

  • apricot preserve

  • jars of preserves

• 2 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.

• 3 a reserve

• 4 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.

  • My grandmother preserved cherries in syrup.

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

  • The gardening is Jeanne’s special preserve.

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

  • a wildlife preserve

• 7 fruit cooked with sugar:

  • apricot preserves