preserved

[ pri-zurvd ]

adjective

1. (of food or any perishable substance) prepared by canning, pickling, salting, or the like, or treated by some process to prevent decomposition or fermentation:

   I had never had such fresh-tasting preserved fruit before.

2. kept safe from harm or injury; protected or spared:

   This is a wonderfully preserved example of Mayan cave art.

3. kept up or maintained; kept in good condition or health:

   Tucked in Amsterdam’s inner city is a uniquely preserved 17th-century house from the Dutch Golden Age.

4. kept alive or in existence:

   When I take a portrait photograph, I’m capturing a moment in a life, making it a preserved memory.

5. (of game or fish, natural habitats, etc.) maintained or reserved for continued hunting or fishing, or for private or public use and appreciation:

   New walking trails will be built through the preserved areas of parkland.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of preserve.

Other Words From

• sem·i·pre·served adjective
• un·pre·served adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preserved¹

First recorded in 1550–60; preserve ( def ) + -ed ²( def ) for the adjective senses; preserve ( def ) + -ed ¹( def ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

The complete skull has been preserved almost intact, which the study highlights makes it one of the most significant finds of its kind.

From BBC

Most of the researchers said that despite the changes afoot, there is hope that many of the gains made will be preserved.

From Los Angeles Times

People who are tenants of RSLs can buy their homes under “preserved” RTB if they lived in their homes when the council owned them.

From BBC

The city was devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which preserved swathes of it almost intact under a layer of ash for over 1,000 years.

From BBC

“On a dime, we reimagined large swaths of our streetscape, kept restaurants and bars afloat, protected and preserved the hospitality industry while making New York City so much more dynamic.”

From Slate

Related Words

• covered
• guaranteed
• guarded
• secured
• sheltered