res ‧ er ‧ va ‧ tion /ˌrezəˈveɪʃ ə n $ -zər-/ BrE AmE noun
1 . [countable] an arrangement which you make so that a place in a hotel, restaurant, plane etc is kept for you at a particular time in the future ⇨ booking :
a dinner reservation
Customers are advised to make seat reservations well in advance.
2 . [uncountable and countable] a feeling of doubt because you do not agree completely with a plan, idea, or suggestion
have/express reservations (about something)
I had serious reservations about his appointment as captain.
We condemn their actions without reservation (=completely) .
3 . [countable] an area of land in the US kept separate for Native Americans to live on:
a Navajo reservation
4 . [countable] American English an area of land where wild animals can live without being hunted SYN reserve , preserve American English :
a wildlife reservation
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ make a reservation
Didn't you make a reservation?
▪ have a reservation
We have a reservation for seven o'clock.
▪ confirm a reservation
We will send you an email to confirm your reservation.
▪ cancel a reservation
She called the restaurant and cancelled the reservations.
■ NOUN + reservation
▪ a dinner/lunch reservation
I'd forgotten to make a dinner reservation.
▪ a hotel reservation
I canceled my hotel reservation.
▪ an airline reservation
Make sure you have an airline reservation before booking the hotel.
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ have reservations
I have reservations about her work.
▪ express reservations (=say that you have reservations)
I did not think it wise to express my reservations.
■ adjectives
▪ some/certain reservations
Despite some reservations, I recommend this book.
▪ serious/grave reservations
They had serious reservations about the plan.
▪ strong reservations
Five of the committee members expressed strong reservations about the product's safety.
▪ considerable reservations
We have considerable reservations about the government's economic proposals.
▪ a minor reservation (=not serious or important)
I voted "yes", although I had a few minor reservations
▪ a major reservation (=serious or important)
We have major reservations about his ability to do the job.