Reserve — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ri-ˈzərv/ re·serve

Meaning & Definition of Reserve

Reserve (verb)

  1. to make arrangements for use or possession of (something) at a later time
  2. to hold in reserve, keep back for future use
  3. to set aside (part of the consecrated elements) at the Eucharist for future use

Reserve (noun)

  1. something reserved or set aside for a particular purpose, use, or reason
  2. a military force withheld from action for later decisive use —usually used in plural
  3. forces not in the field but available

Reserve (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others

    "the salesclerk showed great reserve in dealing with the unreasonable demands of the angry customer"

    similar: constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression
    related: command, control, mastery, possession, self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower, composure, self-poise, self-possession, aloofness, detachedness, distance, bashfulness, modesty, shyness, reticence, silence, taciturnity
    opposite: disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint
    near: self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence, bluntness, candor, frankness, immoderacy, intemperance

  2. a collection of things kept available for future use or need

    "our fuel reserves are low"

    similar: cache, deposit, hoard, store
    related: budget, fund, nest egg, armory, arsenal, bank, pool, reservoir, stock, stockpile, supply, accumulation, assemblage, collection, gathering

  3. a person or thing that takes the place of another

    "when the first brigade fell back in retreat, the commander sent out the reserves to try to hold the line of battle"

    similar: backup, cover, designated hitter, fill-in, locum tenens, pinch hitter, relief, replacement, stand-in, sub, substitute
    related: alternate, understudy, apology, makeshift, stopgap, agent, assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, deputy, envoy, factor, procurator, proxy, rep, representative, surrogate, assistant, reliever, second, successor, superseder

  4. an interchangeable part or piece of equipment that is kept on hand for replacement of an original

    "don't throw that extra bike chain away, as I want to keep it as a reserve in case the current one breaks"

    similar: extra, spare
    related: backup, substitute, stock, carbon copy, clone, copy, double, dummy, dupe, duplicate, replacement, replica, replication, reproduction
    near: archetype, original, prototype

Reserve (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to arrange to have something (as a hotel room) held for one's future use

    "we made sure to reserve a kennel for our dog several months before the start of the family vacation"

    similar: bespeak, book
    related: earmark, contract, engage, hire, retain

  2. to continue to have in one's possession or power

    "I'm reserving the right to work by myself if you don't do your share of the project"

    similar: hold, keep, retain, withhold, hang on to, hold on to
    related: conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save, boast, enjoy, have, own, possess, command, control, detain, direct, manage, rule, bear, harbor, cherish, cling (to), hug, treasure
    opposite: give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield
    near: abandon, cede, drop, contribute, donate, give, hand out, discard, dump, decline, reject, repudiate, spurn, lose

  3. to keep or intend for a special purpose

    "we must reserve this cup for ceremonial use only"

    similar: allocate, consecrate, dedicate, devote, earmark, give up (to), save, set by, set apart, set aside
    related: bless, hallow, sanctify, commit, confide, consign, entrust, apply, bestow, employ, use
    near: ignore, neglect, misapply, misuse

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Reserve

The most common words with a similar meaning to Reserve:

constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression, cache, deposit, hoard, store, backup, cover, designated hitter, fill-in, locum tenens, pinch hitter, relief, replacement, stand-in, sub, substitute, extra, spare, bespeak, book, hold, keep, retain, withhold, allocate, consecrate, dedicate, devote, earmark

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Reserve

Words with the opposite meaning of Reserve:

disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint, give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield

Related Words for Reserve

command, control, mastery, possession, self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower, composure, self-poise, self-possession, aloofness, detachedness, distance, bashfulness, modesty, shyness, reticence, silence, taciturnity, budget, fund, nest egg, armory, arsenal, bank

Near Antonyms of Reserve

self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence, bluntness, candor, frankness, immoderacy, intemperance, archetype, original, prototype, abandon, cede, drop, contribute, donate, give, hand out, discard, dump, decline, reject, repudiate, spurn, lose, ignore

Word Forms of Reserve

Inflections: reserved, reserving

Derived words: reservable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Reserve

Middle English, from Anglo-French reserver, from Latin reservare, literally, to keep back, from re- + servare to keep conserve

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Reserve

Words & Phrases Containing Reserve

reserve bank, reserve clause, reserve price, reserve judgment, Federal Reserve bank, Federal Reserve Board, Federal Reserve System, in reserve

Frequently Asked Questions about Reserve

What does "Reserve" mean?

"Reserve" means to make arrangements for use or possession of (something) at a later time. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to make arrangements for use or possession of (something) at a later time. It has 7 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Reserve"?

Other words for "Reserve" include constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression and restraint. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Reserve" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Reserve"?

There are 152 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Reserve". Common alternatives include constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, restraint, self-command and self-control.

What is the opposite of "Reserve"?

Antonyms of "Reserve" include disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint, give up, hand over, release, relinquish and surrender. Near antonyms include self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness and gratification.

How do you use "Reserve" in a sentence?

Examples of "Reserve" in a sentence: "the salesclerk showed great reserve in dealing with the unreasonable demands of the angry customer"; "our fuel reserves are low"; "when the first brigade fell back in retreat, the commander sent out the reserves to try to hold the line of battle".

Is "Reserve" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Reserve" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Reserve" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Reserve" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Reserve"?

"Reserve" is pronounced /ri-ˈzərv/ and divided into syllables as re·serve.