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. SpeerSynonyms
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
Times are changing but what Chaska has always valued is its history and the preservation of and celebration of that history.
—Bob Roepke, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
These sediments formed from weathered granite and are acidic, not ideal for long-term preservation of bone.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
The site is near the edge of an important ancient road as well as at the bottom of a slope near a river, contributing to a high level of preservation, archaeologists said.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025
Context: Established in 1967 to encourage the preservation and improvement of historic structures and landmarks, Denver's Landmark Preservation office boasts 365 individual properties and 60 historic districts.
—Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for preservation 
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Bob Roepke, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
These sediments formed from weathered granite and are acidic, not ideal for long-term preservation of bone.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
The site is near the edge of an important ancient road as well as at the bottom of a slope near a river, contributing to a high level of preservation, archaeologists said.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025
Context: Established in 1967 to encourage the preservation and improvement of historic structures and landmarks, Denver's Landmark Preservation office boasts 365 individual properties and 60 historic districts.
—Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for preservation
Dictionary Entries Near preservation
Cite this Entry
“Preservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preservation. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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