preservation

noun

pres·​er·​va·​tion ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən 

: the act, process, or result of preserving something: such as

a

: the activity or process of keeping something valued alive, intact, or free from damage or decay

preservation of state parks/monuments

preservation of an old tradition

The special emphasis of recent years on preservation continued in 1988. More than 8,000 brittle volumes (1.5 million pages) were committed to microfilm; an additional 777 rare books, manuscripts, and historical films received special conservation treatment.

—Library and Book Trade Almanac

These and so many lesser red flags seem finally to be shifting public interest toward the preservation of wildlife and natural habitats.

—E. Annie Proulx

b

: the preparation of food for future use (as by canning, pickling, or freezing) to prevent spoilage

the use of salt in the preservation of meat

In the years following the first Earth Day in 1970, a contingent of Americans insisted on developing pesticide-free systems of farming and anti-chemical methods of food preservation and preparation.

—Tibbett L. Speer

Synonyms

• care and feeding
• conservation
• conserving
• keep
• maintenance
• preserving
• sustentation
• upkeep

Examples of preservation in a Sentence

each curator is responsible for the preservation of the works of art within his or her department

the preservation of the tropical rainforests is a global responsibility

Recent Examples on the Web

Her company is trying to close the gap by helping more than 1,000 employers globally provide fertility benefits, including coverage for IVF and fertility preservation, and postpartum and menopause care. —Nikki Battiste, CBS News, 19 June 2024

Best known as the premier destination showcasing the preservation and interpretation of American history, Williamsburg has been working for years to tell a more accurate and inclusive history of the founding of the country. —Ashley McDonough, Essence, 19 June 2024

Fury believes the varying degrees of deformation are an important control on both gold mineralization and the potential preservation of a sizeable mineralized body. —Sacramento Bee, 19 June 2024

In her book, Hannah beautifully bullets each step of this process, making the art of preservation attainable and exciting. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 17 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing preservation

• preservation order
• self-preservation
• state of preservation

Kids Definition

preservation

noun

pres·​er·​va·​tion

ˌprez-ər-ˈvā-shən

: a keeping from injury, loss, or decay