conserve

S2 W2

BrE /kənˈsɜːv/ AmE /kənˈsɜːrv/

verb / noun en → es

past conserved pp conserved ing conserving

1 PRESERVE FOOD [transitive] B1

to keep food fresh for a long time by preserving it in salt, sugar, or vinegar

conservar (alimentos), envasar

  • conserve something

Collocations conserve food · conserve fruit

  • We need to conserve the vegetables before they go bad.

    Necesitamos conservar las verduras antes de que se echen a perder.

2 PROTECT [transitive] B1

to protect something from damage or destruction, especially by keeping it in good condition

conservar, proteger

  • conserve something

Collocations conserve energy · conserve water

  • The government is trying to conserve the country's natural resources.

    El gobierno está tratando de conservar los recursos naturales del país.

3 HISTORIC SITE [transitive] B2

to protect a building, area, or place so that it is not destroyed and can be seen by future generations

conservar (un sitio histórico), proteger

  • conserve something

Collocations conserve a building · conserve an area

  • The city council has decided to conserve the old town.

    El concejo municipal ha decidido conservar el antiguo centro de la ciudad.

1 NOUN [noun] B2

a substance that is used for preserving food, especially sugar or salt

conservas (de alimentos)

Phrasal verbs

conserve something from PROTECT FROM C1

proteger algo de

  • The museum conserves the paintings from damage.

    El museo protege las pinturas del daño.

conserve something for KEEP FOR C1

conservar algo para

  • We conserve the old books for future generations.

    Conservamos los libros antiguos para las generaciones futuras.

Idioms

conserve one's strength C1

conservar sus fuerzas

  • She decided to conserve her strength for the final exam.

    Decidió conservar sus fuerzas para el examen final.