preserve

preserve — verb

1. to take action so that something stays in its current good state and does not ge

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to take action so that something stays in its current good state and does not get damaged, destroyed, or lost — for example, preserving an old building, a natural forest, or a peaceful relationship between two groups.

Example

The organization works hard to preserve ancient forests for future generations.

preserve + natural features (forests, environment)

Ryan always preserved his father's fishing tools as a way of honoring his memory.

Common collocations
  • preserve + heritage/culture
  • preserve + peace/stability
  • preserve + health/strength
  • preserve + buildings/monuments
  • preserve + forests/wildlife
Synonyms
  • conserve

    focuses on using limited resources carefully so they do not run out, rather than protecting from damage

  • maintain

    emphasises regular effort and upkeep to keep something at a desired level

  • safeguard

    more formal, stresses protection against a specific threat or risk

Antonyms
  • destroy

    to damage something so badly it no longer exists or works

  • neglect

    to fail to give proper care to something, causing it to decline

Grammar Patterns

preserve + object

Usage Note

Frequently used with objects that are valuable, historic, or at risk — such as buildings, traditions, the environment, peace, and health. Common in passive constructions with 'carefully' or 'well'.

Common Mistakes

We need to preserve the document in a safe drawer for later use.
We need to keep the document in a safe drawer for later use.
'preserve' implies protecting from decay, damage, or loss; for simple storage, use 'keep'.
I preserved my train ticket from last month.
I kept my train ticket from last month.
'preserve' suggests active protection from deterioration, not just holding onto something ordinary.

2. to treat food using a method such as salting, drying, canning, or freezing so th

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to treat food using a method such as salting, drying, canning, or freezing so that it does not rot and can be eaten much later.

Example

Mert's grandmother preserved tomatoes by putting them in glass jars every summer.

preserve + by + method (bottling, canning)

Before fridges existed, people preserved meat by salting and smoking it.

collocation: preserve + meat/fish by salting/smoking

Common collocations
  • preserve + fruit/vegetables
  • preserve + meat/fish
  • preserve + by salting/drying/freezing/canning
  • preserve + in jars
  • preserve + with salt/sugar/vinegar
Synonyms
  • can

    specifically means preserving food by sealing it in airtight containers after heating

  • pickle

    specifically means preserving in vinegar or salt water

  • cure

    specifically means preserving meat or fish by salting, smoking, or drying

Antonyms
  • rot

    to decay naturally when not preserved

Grammar Patterns

preserve + food + by + method

Usage Note

The object is always a type of food that spoils naturally. The method of preservation (by + gerund or by + noun) is often stated explicitly. This sense does NOT refer to short-term refrigeration of leftovers.

Common Mistakes

I preserved the leftover pizza in the fridge.
I kept the leftover pizza in the fridge.
'preserve' for food means long-term prevention of spoilage (canning, salting, drying), not putting away leftovers overnight.

preserve — noun

Word family

  • preservation
    nounB2
  • preservative
    nounB2
  • preservative
    adjectiveB2
  • preserver
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All three verbs involve keeping something in a good or existing state, but they differ in what is being kept and why. You preserve something to protect it from change, damage, or decay — the focus is on preventing harm to something valuable, like a historic building, a forest, or peace between two groups. You conserve something to use it wisely and avoid wasting it — the focus is on careful management of limited resources, such as water, energy, or fuel. You maintain something through regular care and effort to keep it at a desired level — the focus is on ongoing upkeep, as with a car, a garden, or a friendship. A historic church is preserved so it does not crumble; water is conserved during a drought so it does not run out; a machine is maintained so it keeps working properly over time.

preserve ↗conserve ↗maintain ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in order to preserve
  • help preserve
  • work to preserve

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'preserve' entered English through Old French 'preserver', which came from Latin 'praeservare'. The Latin root combines 'prae-' (meaning 'before') and 'servare' (meaning 'to keep, guard, watch over'). The original idea was 'to keep watch over something in advance' — to take protective action before any damage occurs. Over centuries, the meaning split into two branches: keeping things safe from harm generally, and treating food so it does not spoil.