preserve // preserves, preserving, preserved
 
1 If you preserve a situation or condition, you make sure that it stays as it is.     VB WITH OBJ
We are interested in preserving world peace.
I stood there, determined to preserve my dignity.
· preservation                                                                                                    UNCOUNT N
...the preservation of democracy.
 
2 If you preserve something, you take action to save it or protect it.                    VB WITH OBJ
...a big house which had been preserved as a museum.
 
3 If you preserve food, you treat it in a way that prevents it from decaying.        VB WITH OBJ
Deep freezing is the simplest way of preserving food.  
 
4 Preserves are foods such as jam or chutney that are made by cooking              MASS N
fruit with sugar to preserve the fruit.