preservations
|pre-ser-va-tions|
🇺🇸
/ˌprɛzərˈveɪʃənz/
🇬🇧
/ˌprɛzəˈveɪʃ(ə)nz/
(preservation)
keeping safe / preventing loss
Etymology
'preservation' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'praeservatio' (or 'preservatio'), where 'prae-' (or 'pre-') meant 'before' and 'servare' meant 'to keep, guard'.
'preservation' passed into Old French as 'preservacion' and into Middle English as 'preservation', eventually becoming the modern English word 'preservation'.
Initially it meant 'the act of keeping beforehand or protecting', and over time it evolved into the modern sense of 'keeping safe; protection or conservation' (including legal or technical senses).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of keeping something safe from harm, loss, or decay; conservation.
The museum's preservations of fragile textiles require strict climate control.
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Noun 2
legal or formal measures taken to protect areas, objects, or rights (often used in plural to refer to multiple such measures or sites).
Several preservations were established last year to protect the wetlands from development.
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Noun 3
methods or processes used to keep food or materials from spoiling (less common; often used in plural).
Traditional preservations such as salting and smoking were used before refrigeration.
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Last updated: 2025/12/20 01:31