Oxford Essential Dictionary
preservation
noun (no plural)
the act of keeping something safe or in good condition:
the preservation of rare birds
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
preservation
pres‧er‧va‧tion /ˌprezəˈveɪʃən $ -zər-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
1. when something is kept in its original state or in good condition ⇨ preserve
preservation of
Eliot campaigned for the preservation of London’s churches.
We are working for the preservation of the environment.
the preservation of our cultural heritage
methods of food preservation
2. the act of making sure that a situation continues without changing
preservation of
the preservation of peace in the region
3. the degree to which something has remained unchanged or unharmed by weather, age etc:
The arena is in an exceptionally fine state of preservation.
⇨ self-preservation
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
preservation
pre·ser·va·tion [ˌprezəˈveɪʃn] [ˌprezərˈveɪʃn] noun uncountable
1. the act of keeping sth in its original state or in good condition
• building/environmental/food preservation
• a preservation group/society
2. the act of making sure that sth is kept
• The central issue in the strike was the preservation of jobs.
3. the degree to which sth has not been changed or damaged by age, weather, etc
• The paintings were in an excellent state of preservation.
see also self-preservation
Word Origin:
[preservation] late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin praeservatio(n-), from late Latin praeservare ‘to keep’, from prae- ‘before, in advance’ + servare ‘to keep’.
Example Bank:
• The council has placed a preservation order on the building.
• building/environmental preservation
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
preservation / ˌprez.əˈveɪ.ʃ ə n / / -ɚ- / noun [ U ]
C1 the act of keeping something the same or of preventing it from being damaged:
building preservation
wood preservation
There is great public concern about some of the chemicals used in food preservation.
The church is in a poor state of preservation (= has not been kept in good condition) .
The president has said that the government is committed to the preservation (= protection) of the country's national interests.
She belongs to the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites
→ See also self-preservation
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
preservation
pres·er·va·tion /ˌprɛzɚˈveɪʃən/ noun [noncount]
1 : the act of preserving something: such as
a : the act of keeping something in its original state or in good condition - often + of
• preservation of the city's historical buildings
• the preservation of land for wildlife
• (Brit) a preservation order [=an official order by a court that makes it illegal to destroy or change a building, tree, view, etc.]
b : the act of keeping something safe from harm or loss
• wildlife preservation
- often + of
• the preservation of music programs in public schools
• the preservation of cultural traditions
c : the act of using a particular treatment on a food so that it can be eaten in the future
• methods of food preservation, such as canning and freezing
2 : the degree to which something is kept safe from harm or ruin
• The ancient paintings were found in a perfect state of preservation. [=they were perfectly preserved]
• The buildings are in a good state of preservation.
- see also self-preservation