conserve

1 of 2

verb

con·serve kən-ˈsərv

conserved; conserving

Synonyms of conserve next

transitive verb

: to keep in a safe or sound state

He conserved his inheritance.

especially : to avoid wasteful or destructive use of

conserve natural resources

conserve our wildlife

: to preserve with sugar

: to maintain (a quantity) constant during a process of chemical, physical, or evolutionary change

conserved DNA sequences

conserver noun

conserve

2 of 2

noun

con·serve ˈkän-ˌsərv

: sweetmeat

especially : a candied fruit

: preserve

specifically : one prepared from a mixture of fruits

Examples of conserve in a Sentence

Verb With so little rain, everyone had to conserve water. We need to conserve our natural resources. Don't run around too much—you need to conserve your strength.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Verb

This approach is exhausting and drains the limited willpower we are meant to conserve. —

Shane Enete, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 Threat level: The feds are working to conserve monarchs. —

Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024

Noun

Assenza is a master of preserving and transforming fruit into delicious conserves and marmalades. —

Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2023 Her cranberry conserve? —

Amiel Stanek, Bon Appétit, 25 Oct. 2022 See all Example Sentences for conserve

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English conserven "to maintain in good condition, preserve, protect, keep," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French conserver "to preserve" (also continental Middle French), borrowed from Latin conservāre "to save or keep from danger, preserve, keep unchanged," from con- con- + servāre "to watch over, guard, keep, observe (a law, custom), maintain in existence, preserve," probably derivative of an abstract noun *seru̯om or *seru̯ā "observation, guarding," formed from the Indo-European verbal base *ser- "keep watch on, guard" and a nominal suffix *-u̯o- — more at serve entry 1

Noun

Middle English, "medicinal preparation, sweetmeat," borrowed from Middle French, "preserved food product," noun derivative of conserver "to maintain, preserve, conserve entry 1"

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of conserve was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Conserve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conserve. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

conserve

1 of 2 verb

con·serve kən-ˈsərv

conserved; conserving

: to keep in a safe or sound state

: to avoid wasteful or destructive use of : use carefully

conserve natural resources

conserve energy

: to preserve with sugar

: to keep (a quantity) constant during a process of change (as chemical change)

conserver noun

conserve

2 of 2 noun

con·serve ˈkän-ˌsərv

: a candied fruit

: preserve entry 2 sense 1

Medical Definition

conserve

1 of 2 noun

con·serve ˈkän-ˌsərv

: an obsolete medicinal preparation made by mixing undried vegetable drugs with sufficient powdered sugar to form a soft mass compare confection

conserve

2 of 2 transitive verb

con·serve kən-ˈsərv

conserved; conserving

: to maintain (a quantity) constant during a process of chemical, physical, or evolutionary change

a DNA sequence that has been conserved

Last Updated: 26 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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conserve

verb

noun

Synonyms

Examples of conserve in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near conserve

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition