Definition

An arrangement made in advance to secure a place, such as a seat on a plane or a room in a hotel.

Example

I made a reservation for two at the restaurant for tonight.

Conversation

Did you make a reservation for dinner tonight?

Yes, I booked a table at that new Italian place.

Great! What time is the reservation?

It's at 7 PM, so we should leave by 6:30.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Reservation → It is formed from "reservare" (meaning to keep back or retain) and the suffix "-tion" (indicating the action or process). The word "reservation" refers to the action of keeping something back or setting it aside for a specific purpose.

Memory Tip

Think of the idea of 'keeping back' something for later use — that's what a reservation means.

Visually Confused Words