preservative

[ pri-zur-vuh-tiv ]

noun

1. something that preserves or tends to preserve.
2. a chemical substance used to preserve foods or other organic materials from decomposition or fermentation.

adjective

1. tending to preserve.

preservative

/ prɪˈzɜːvətɪv /

noun

1. something that preserves or tends to preserve, esp a chemical added to foods to inhibit decomposition

adjective

1. tending or intended to preserve

Other Words From

• nonpre·serva·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preservative¹

1350–1400; Middle English (adj. and noun) < Middle French preservatif (adj.) < Medieval Latin praeservātīvus. See preserve, -ative

Example Sentences

The only type of scallops I avoid are “wet” scallops, which means they were frozen in a liquid solution with a preservative after harvest.

From Salon

Not only would I not want to ingest a preservative soaked scallop, but this process gives them an odd taste and texture.

From Salon

Such resin was used as a preservative in wine and, in Egypt, as incense and as varnish on funerary equipment of the New Kingdom era.

From New York Times

Ten years later, part of the end of the pier collapsed a few feet — with the mayor standing right there on it — and the eternal concrete had to be replaced with the old standby, wood — wood unfortunately treated with creosote, a likely carcinogenic preservative that was for many decades the go-to treatment for pier pilings the entire length of the coast.

From Los Angeles Times

“Most things you see on a label that you can’t pronounce are typically an emulsifier or preservative, or the chemical name of a specific nutrient,” she says.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• vinegar