Reserve Definition

rĭ-zûrv
reserved, reserves, reserving
verb
reserved, reserves, reserving
To keep back, store up, or set apart for later use or for some special purpose.
Webster's New World
To hold over to a later time.
Webster's New World
To set aside or have set aside for a special person, etc.
To reserve a theater seat.
Webster's New World
To keep back or retain for oneself.
To reserve the right to refuse.
Webster's New World

To keep in store for future or special use.

This cake is reserved for the guests!
Wiktionary
noun
reserves
Something kept back or stored up, as for later use or for a special purpose.
Webster's New World
The practice of keeping one's thoughts, feelings, etc. to oneself; self-restraint or aloofness in speech and manner.
Webster's New World
Lack of enthusiasm, as from a misgiving or doubt.
Supported the idea without reserve.
American Heritage
A limitation or reservation.
Webster's New World
Reticence; silence.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
adjective
Being, or having the nature of, a reserve or reserves.
A reserve supply.
Webster's New World
idiom
in reserve
  • Kept back, set aside, or saved.
American Heritage
in reserve
  • reserved for later use or for some person
Webster's New World
without reserve
  • subject to no limitation
  • without any minimum or asking price
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Reserve

Noun

Singular:
reserve
Plural:
reserves

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Reserve

  • in reserve
  • in reserve
  • without reserve

Origin of Reserve

  • Middle English reserven from Old French reserver from Latin reservāre to keep back re- re- servāre to keep ser-1 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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