Preserve/prɪˈzɜːrv/ Definition 1 of 5Pro Tip 1/3Protection Focus Use 'preserve' when emphasizing long-term protection and safety. Museums preserve artifacts for future generations. Pro Tip 2/3Active Effort 'Preserve' implies active measures are being taken to prevent harm. Volunteers preserve the beach by cleaning it regularly. Pro Tip 3/3Context Specific Pair 'preserve' with nouns related to the environment, health, or heritage. The law was passed to preserve historical landmarks.