preserve
/prɪˈzɜrv/
noun
- An area of land or water that is protected for animals, plants, or natural features.
- The wildlife preserve is home to many rare birds.
- Visitors to the preserve must stay on the marked trails.
- The government established a marine preserve to protect the coral reefs.
- A type of fruit jam made by cooking whole or large pieces of fruit with sugar.
- This jar of apricot preserve tastes like summer.
- She spread strawberry preserve on her toast.
- The store sells homemade preserves from local farms.
- An activity or area that is considered to belong to a particular person or group.
- In the past, politics was largely a preserve of the wealthy.
- The garden is her private preserve where she relaxes after work.
- Fishing was once considered a male preserve, but now many women enjoy it.
verb
- To keep something in its original state or in good condition; to protect from harm or decay.
- She preserved her grandmother's recipe by writing it down carefully.
- We need to preserve the old documents so they don't fall apart.
- The national park was created to preserve the natural landscape.
- To treat food (such as fruit, meat, or vegetables) so that it can be stored for a long time without spoiling.
- In the past, people would preserve meat by salting or smoking it.
- You can preserve fresh herbs by drying them in the sun.
- My aunt likes to preserve strawberries by making jam.
- To keep a quality, feeling, or situation from changing or being lost.
- The team worked hard to preserve their lead in the final minutes of the game.
- It's important to preserve your sense of humor even during tough times.
- She tried to preserve the peace by not arguing with her brother.