preserve
pruh-ZURV
/prɪˈzɜːrv/
To maintain something in its original or existing state, keeping it safe from decay, destruction, or change.
Implies keeping something unchanged and frozen in its pristine state, preventing alterative decay over time.
The story behind the word. In Classical Latin, 'praeservare' meant watching over something beforehand. It combined 'prae-' (beforehand) with 'servare' (to keep or guard). It was about setting up guards before damage could occur.
Word relationships
- maintain: 'Maintain' means keeping something in working order, whereas 'preserve' focuses on keeping it unchanged from its original condition.
- conserve: 'Conserve' allows for careful human use without depletion, while 'preserve' insists on zero disturbance.
- destroy: 'Destroy' means completely ruining or eliminating something.
- alter: 'Alter' means changing the nature or appearance of something.
Commonly confused with
- conserve: 'Preserve' keeps pristine conditions untouched; 'conserve' manages usage wisely.
Word family
- preservation (noun): The act of keeping something in its original state.
- preservative (noun): A substance used to prevent decay.
- preservationist (noun): An advocate for keeping natural environments pristine.
Collocations
- preserve nature
- preserve species
- preserve ecosystem
- preserve integrity
Example sentences
- "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community." Ecological Philosophy
- "The state purchased five thousand acres of forest to preserve the original wilderness from urban expansion." Land Management
Memory hook
PRE (before) + SERVE (guard) = Guard it before anything can touch it. Lock it in a glass case before it changes.
When not to use
Avoid using when describing active restoration of damaged land; use 'restore' instead.
Fun facts
- In English culinary history, 'preserves' came to mean fruit cooked with sugar because sugar guards against bacterial decay.
Explore more words
preservation, conserve, save, pristine, conservation, untouched
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.