Reserve: A Protected Area, a Substitute, and a Manner
A reserve is something kept back for later. The word covers nature reserves, bench players, bank holdings and a quiet personality.
A reserve is something held back for future use. The senses fan out from there: a nature reserve is land kept from development, a reserve in sport is a player kept for later, central bank reserves are money held back, and a person of *reserve* keeps their feelings back. The Latin *reservare* means to keep back.
- Something kept for later. *Cash reserves.*
- A protected area. *A nature reserve.*
- A substitute player. *He was named as a reserve.*
- Restraint in manner. *She spoke with reserve.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | reserve | Foreign reserves. |
| Plural | reserves | Army reserves. |
| Verb | reserve | Reserve a table. |
| Adjective | reserved | A reserved seat. |
| Noun | reservation | A dinner reservation. |
How it is used in a sentence
- I would like to reserve a table for four.Booking.
- The bank holds substantial reserves.Finance.
- He is reserved rather than unfriendly.Personality.
Reserve in different fields
- Conservation — land protected for wildlife
- Sport — a substitute, or a second team
- Banking — assets held against liabilities
- Military — trained personnel not on active duty
- Law — reserving judgment means deciding later
From Old French *reserver*, from Latin *reservare*, to keep back, from *re-* and *servare*, to keep — the same root as *conserve*, *preserve* and *observe*.
Reserve or reservation?
In British English you reserve a table and make a reservation. American English uses reservation more widely, including for protected land.
What does *without reserve* mean?
Completely and unconditionally. At auction it means the item will sell whatever the highest bid.