Usage Note
Préserver often appears in environmental and legal contexts — préserver l'environnement (to protect the environment) is a common fixed phrase. The related noun is la préservation. Note that a préservatif is a condom, not a food preservative (which is un conservateur) — a false friend to watch.
Examples
"Nous devons préserver cette forêt ancienne."
Natural Translation
We must preserve this ancient forest.

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