Reserve

/ɹɪˈzɝv/ name, noun, verb

name, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A restriction.; The act of reserving or keeping back; reservation; exception.
  • Grammar: reserve is listed as name, noun, verb.
  • Nearest alternatives: substitute, abstain, accessible, accumulation.
  • Useful contrasts: lavish, loud energy, unbooked.
  • Usage evidence: It would help us if you would reserve the following hotel during our conference.

How to use "reserve"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "reserve" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "reserve" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "reserve" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "reserve" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "reserve" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "substitute" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "reserve", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A restriction.; The act of reserving or keeping back; reservation; exception. countable, uncountable

    "The book is on reserve."

  2. 2
    the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary wordnet
  3. 3
    A restriction.; Restraint of freedom in words or actions; backwardness; caution in personal behavior. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    formality and propriety of manner wordnet
  5. 5
    That which is reserved or kept back, as for future use. countable, uncountable

    "The tone was set at Trump’s Inauguration. Tech moguls streamed into Washington; some sat behind the President during his Inaugural Address, a signal of the power they would wield. Over the next 11 months, they would use their enormous cash reserves, cultural power, and momentum to push their products into homes across the world."

Show 18 more definitions
  1. 6
    armed forces that are not on active duty but can be called in an emergency wordnet
  2. 7
    That which is reserved or kept back, as for future use.; A natural resource known to exist but not currently exploited. countable, uncountable

    "New oil reserves are continuously being discovered, but not as fast as the existing ones are running out."

  3. 8
    a district that is reserved for particular purpose wordnet
  4. 9
    That which is reserved or kept back, as for future use.; A tract of land reserved, or set apart, for a particular purpose countable, uncountable

    "the Connecticut Reserve in Ohio was originally set apart for the school fund of Connecticut."

  5. 10
    an athlete who plays only when a starter on the team is replaced wordnet
  6. 11
    That which is reserved or kept back, as for future use.; A tract of land set apart for the use of an Aboriginal group: Indian reserve. Canada, countable, uncountable
  7. 12
    something kept back or saved for future use or a special purpose wordnet
  8. 13
    That which is reserved or kept back, as for future use.; A body of troops kept in the rear of an army drawn up for battle, reserved to support the other lines as occasion may require; a force or body of troops kept for an exigency. countable, uncountable

    "no reserves [the military force is throwing everything it has at the front]"

  9. 14
    (medicine) potential capacity to respond in order to maintain vital functions wordnet
  10. 15
    That which is reserved or kept back, as for future use.; Funds kept on hand to meet planned or unplanned financial requirements. countable, uncountable
  11. 16
    That which is reserved or kept back, as for future use.; A reserve price in an auction. countable, uncountable

    "no reserve [the lot(s) will be sold no matter how low the bids are]"

  12. 17
    That which is reserved or kept back, as for future use.; Wine held back and aged before being sold. countable, uncountable
  13. 18
    That which is reserved or kept back, as for future use.; Absence of color or decoration; the state of being left plain. countable, uncountable

    "Each is decorated with a simple disk in reserve and a band in reserve adorned with white dots."

  14. 19
    Something initially kept back for later use in recreation.; A member of a team who does not participate from the start of the game, but can be used to replace tired or injured team-mates. countable, uncountable
  15. 20
    Something initially kept back for later use in recreation.; A group or pile of cards dealt out at the beginning of a patience or solitaire game to be used during play. countable, uncountable
  16. 21
    In exhibitions, a distinction indicating that the recipient will get a prize in the event of another person being disqualified. countable, uncountable
  17. 22
    A resist. countable, uncountable
  18. 23
    A preparation used on an object being electroplated to fix the limits of the deposit. countable, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    To keep back; to retain. transitive

    "We reserve the right to make modifications."

  2. 2
    give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause wordnet
  3. 3
    To keep in store for future or special use. ditransitive, transitive

    "This cake is reserved for the guests!"

  4. 4
    obtain or arrange (for oneself) in advance wordnet
  5. 5
    To book in advance; to make a reservation for. ditransitive, transitive

    "I reserved a table for us at the best restaurant in town."

Show 3 more definitions
  1. 6
    hold back or set aside, especially for future use or contingency wordnet
  2. 7
    To make an exception of; to except. obsolete, transitive
  3. 8
    arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance wordnet
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A city in Kansas.
  2. 2
    A census-designated place in Louisiana.
  3. 3
    A census-designated place in Montana.
  4. 4
    A village, the county seat of Catron County, New Mexico.
  5. 5
    A census-designated place in Wisconsin.

Synonyms

All synonyms
substituteabstainaccessibleaccumulationace in the holeadjourn

Antonyms

lavishloud energyunbookedannounce

Example

"It would help us if you would reserve the following hotel during our conference."

Common questions

What does "reserve" mean?

A restriction.; The act of reserving or keeping back; reservation; exception.

What is a synonym for "reserve"?

Common synonyms include: substitute, abstain, accessible, accumulation, ace in the hole, adjourn.

How do you use "reserve" in a sentence?

It would help us if you would reserve the following hotel during our conference.

How do you pronounce "reserve"?

Pronounced /ɹɪˈzɝv/.

Etymology

From Old French reserver, from Latin reservō (“to reserve, retain”).

More for "reserve"

Synonyms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsBrowse writing guidesExplore topic clusters