preservation

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The work of protecting something so that it stays in good condition and is not lost, damaged or allowed to decay.

   Grammar: Uncountable: the preservation of old buildings. Often followed by of.

   Patterns

   • the preservation of something
   • preservation of something

   The society works for the preservation of the town's historic buildings.

   Wildlife preservation depends on protecting natural habitats.

   Careful storage helps with the preservation of old photographs.

2. 2noununcountable

   A way of treating food, such as drying, freezing or pickling, to stop it from going bad.

   Grammar: Uncountable; also used with food: food preservation.

   Patterns

   • the preservation of food

   Salting was once the main method of food preservation.

   Refrigeration changed the preservation of fresh milk.

   Home canning is a popular form of preservation.

3. 3noununcountable

   The act of keeping a state, quality, or practice going without change.

   Grammar: Often abstract: the preservation of peace.

   Patterns

   • the preservation of peace
   • self-preservation

   Their main goal was the preservation of the peace treaty.

   Instinct for self-preservation made him step back from the cliff.

   The group focuses on the preservation of the local dialect.

Common combinations

historic preservation

Historic preservation rules limit changes to old houses.

wildlife preservation

Wildlife preservation groups protect the wetlands.

food preservation

Food preservation techniques include drying and pickling.

instinct of self-preservation

His instinct of self-preservation told him to leave at once.

preservation order

A preservation order protects the old oak tree from being cut down.

Synonyms and how they differ

conservation

Conservation stresses careful management of resources, often natural ones, while preservation means keeping things exactly as they are.

protection

Protection is broader and covers any defense from harm, but preservation implies keeping something intact over time.

maintenance

Maintenance means regular upkeep to keep something working, whereas preservation aims to prevent loss or change.

safekeeping

Safekeeping is about guarding something valuable, usually objects, and is less about preventing decay.

Opposites

Word family

preserve verb

to keep something safe or from spoiling

preserve noun

a protected area, or jam made from fruit

preservative noun

a substance added to stop food from spoiling

preservationist noun

a person who works to protect old buildings or nature

Commonly confused: preservation or conservation?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “preservation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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