IPA: /kənˈsɜːrv/
KK: /kənˈsɜrv/
To use something carefully and avoid wasting it, especially resources like energy or materials.
We need to conserve water during the dry season.
Past: conserved
Past Participle: conserved
A type of sweet spread made from fruits cooked with sugar, often used on bread or as a dessert topping.
I spread some strawberry conserve on my toast this morning.
To protect something from being lost or damaged, or to use something carefully to avoid wasting it.
We need to conserve water during the summer months to help the environment.
Past: conserved
Past Participle: conserved
Conserve → It is formed from "con-" (meaning together) and "servare" (meaning to keep or save). The word "conserve" means to keep something safe or to save it for future use, often implying a collective effort to maintain resources.
Think of keeping things 'together' ('con-') and 'saving' them ('servare') — that's why conserve means to save or keep something safe.