/ rɪˈzɜːv; NAmE rɪˈzɜːrv/ verb , noun
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
reserve sth (for sb/sth) to ask for a seat, table, room, etc. to be available for you or sb else at a future time
SYN book :
I'd like to reserve a table for three for eight o'clock.
I've reserved a room in the name of Jones.
—compare book
2.
reserve sth (for sb/sth) to keep sth for sb/sth, so that it cannot be used by any other person or for any other reason :
These seats are reserved for special guests.
I'd prefer to reserve (my) judgement (= not make a decision) until I know all the facts.
3.
to have or keep a particular power :
The management reserves the right to refuse admission.
( law )
All rights reserved (= nobody else can publish or copy this) .
■ noun
SUPPLY
1.
[ C , usually pl. ] a supply of sth that is available to be used in the future or when it is needed :
large oil and gas reserves
He discovered unexpected reserves of strength.
reserve funds
PROTECTED LAND
2.
( NAmE also pre·serve ) [ C ] a piece of land that is a protected area for animals, plants, etc. :
a wildlife reserve
—see also game reserve , nature reserve
3.
[ C ] = reservation
QUALITY / FEELING
4.
[ U ] the quality that sb has when they do not talk easily to other people about their ideas, feelings, etc.
SYN reticence :
She found it difficult to make friends because of her natural reserve.
5.
[ U ] ( formal ) a feeling that you do not want to accept or agree to sth, etc. until you are quite sure that it is all right to do so :
Any contract should be treated with reserve until it has been checked.
She trusted him without reserve (= completely) .
IN SPORT
6.
[ C ] an extra player who plays in a team when one of the other players is injured or not available to play
7.
the reserves [ pl. ] a team that is below the level of the main team
MILITARY FORCE
8.
the reserve [ sing. ] (also the reserves [ pl. ]) an extra military force, etc. that is not part of a country's regular forces, but is available to be used when needed :
the army reserve(s)
the reserve police
PRICE
9.
(also reˈserve price ) [ C ] ( BrE ) the lowest price that sb will accept for sth, especially sth that is sold at an auction
•
IDIOMS
- in reserve
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French reserver , from Latin reservare keep back, from re- back + servare to keep.