/ ˌprezəˈveɪʃn; NAmE -zərˈv-/ noun [ U ]
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
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WORD ORIGIN
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.