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
Library and Book Trade AlmanacThese and so many lesser red flags seem finally to be shifting public interest toward the preservation of wildlife and natural habitats.—E. Annie Proulx
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
Tibbett L. SpeerExamples 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
The retailer voluntarily supported local environmental, cultural, and preservation initiatives during the campaign’s production.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
Many patients diagnosed in that age range pursue fertility preservation before oncology treatment, but there are few formal structures in place to facilitate that.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
The timing of the announcement during Black History Month adds to its historical relevance, but the preservation responsibilities extend far beyond any single month.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Other people think of preservation (efforts) starting with Mount Vernon in the 1850s.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preservation
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Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
Many patients diagnosed in that age range pursue fertility preservation before oncology treatment, but there are few formal structures in place to facilitate that.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
The timing of the announcement during Black History Month adds to its historical relevance, but the preservation responsibilities extend far beyond any single month.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Other people think of preservation (efforts) starting with Mount Vernon in the 1850s.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preservation
Cite this Entry
“Preservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preservation. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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