save

verb \ ˈsāv \

Updated on: 10 Dec 2017

Definition of save

saved; saving

transitive verb

1 a : to deliver from sin

b : to rescue or deliver from danger or harm

c : to preserve or guard from injury, destruction, or loss

d : to store (data) in a computer or on a storage device

save a file

Remember to save your work frequently.

2 a : to put aside as a store or reserve : accumulate

saving money for emergencies

b : to spend less by

save 25 percent

3 a : to make unnecessary : avoid

it saves an hour's driving

b (1) : to keep from being lost to an opponent

(2) : to prevent an opponent from scoring or winning

4 : maintain, preserve

save appearances

intransitive verb

1 : to rescue or deliver someone

2 a : to put aside money

b : to avoid unnecessary waste or expense : economize

c : to spend less money

3 : to make a save

—

savable

or saveable play \ˈsā-və-bəl\ adjective

—

saver

noun

See save defined for English-language learners

See save defined for kids

Examples of save in a Sentence

He is trying to save his marriage by going to counseling for his drug addiction.
She saved a tense situation by staying calm.
Thinner computer monitors save space.
She would rather save than spend.
Save a little money for later.
She saves part of her pay every week.
I saved $20,000 for a down payment on the house.
She saved $15 at the grocery store by using coupons.

Recent Examples of save from the Web

The early testing will enable the company to assess the stability and reliability of adding tabs to applications, allowing Microsoft to refine the interface for saving and restoring sets of tabs, the integration into Timeline, and so on.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Tabs come to every window in Windows 10 “Sets”," 28 Nov. 2017
The Belgian had a volley saved by Petr Cech in the same passage of play, and stayed on the edge of the box to exchange passes with Fernandinho to work the space, before giving the 35-year-old no chance.

— SI.com, "Man City Brushes Aside Arsenal Thanks to De Bruyne, Agüero and Jesus," 5 Nov. 2017
Efforts to save the zoo led to a community garden and the formation of the Friends group.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Lords Park Zoo officials hope to add a fourth bison," 2 Nov. 2017
That gives you just enough time to brush up on your launch technique and save up for the as yet undisclosed price.

— andrew wendler, Car and Driver, "2018 Mustang GT V-8 Makes 700 HP with Ford/Roush Supercharger Kit," 1 Nov. 2017
The magic, though, is in the underlying hints of musk and smoke that help to save it from being too ambrosial.

— max berlinger, GQ, "The Best Colognes for Fall Are Light, Crisp, and Fresh," 31 Oct. 2017
While no one likes getting shots, this important immunization could potentially save you from an uncomfortable rash — or worse.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "Everyone Over the Age of 50 Needs the New Shingles Vaccine, Experts Say," 26 Oct. 2017
If their smooch hadn't been interrupted by Nebula calling to save Zenon's space-stay, this kiss would have been the cutest kiss in 21st century history — past, present, and future. !

— noelle devoe, Seventeen, "The Definitive Ranking of The Top 10 Disney Channel Original Movie Kisses," 25 Oct. 2017
The CHORESs program is a great way for teens to earn some money and save for college.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Hebron Edition," 24 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'save.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of save

Middle English, from Anglo-French salver, from Late Latin salvare, from Latin salvus safe — more at safe

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

save Synonyms

Synonyms

deliver, redeem

Antonyms

adventure, compromise, endanger, gamble (with), hazard, imperil, jeopardize, peril, risk, venture

Related Words

reclaim, reform; forgive, pardon, remit, shrive; bless, hallow; consecrate, purify, sanctify

Near Antonyms

blow, dissipate, fritter (away), lavish, misspend, run through, spend, squander, throw away; splurge

Synonym Discussion of save

rescue, deliver, redeem, ransom, reclaim, save mean to set free from confinement or danger. rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

- rescued the crew of a sinking ship

deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

- delivered his people from bondage

redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary.

- job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

- tried to ransom the kidnap victim

reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

- reclaimed long-abandoned farms

save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence.

- an operation that saved my life

save

noun

Definition of save

1 : a play that prevents an opponent from scoring or winning

2 : the action of a relief pitcher in baseball in successfully protecting a team's lead; also : official credit for a save

See save defined for English-language learners

Examples of save in a Sentence

The goalie made a spectacular save.
He leads the league in saves.

Recent Examples of save from the Web

A year after Mike Montgomery earned his first career save to seal a title for the Chicago Cubs, Morton closed out this Game 7 with a victory in his first relief appearance in nine years.

— tyler kepner, New York Times, "When Astros Needed to Improvise, Charlie Morton Was Ready," 2 Nov. 2017
Noah Witkowski's stellar performance kept Kankakee Valley in the game against Munster, as the senior goalkeeper made 20 saves.

— michael osipoff, Post-Tribune, "Jordan Andric helps Munster boys soccer win another conference title," 27 Sep. 2017
Cheers flooded Louisville Slugger Field as goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh made the second of two saves to keep Louisville City FC's championship hopes alive and teetering on the brink of club history.

— danielle lerner, The Courier-Journal, "History-making win is 'pure bliss' as Louisville City FC moves on to USL championship," 5 Nov. 2017
Scott Springer with Loveland girls soccer The Enquirer/Scott Springer Ohio SOCCER Girls Division I Regional Final Loveland 1, Springboro 0 (OT) Goals: L-Harter. Shutout: L-Parker (five saves).

— john snodgrass, Cincinnati.com, "Prep results Saturday Nov. 4," 4 Nov. 2017
The £30m acquisition from Sunderland has been the one Toffees star to produce good performances on a consistent basis and, but for his super saves, the Blues would be even further in the mire.

— SI.com, "Everton vs Watford Match Preview: Last Meeting, Key Men, Team News & More," 4 Nov. 2017
Caroline Barlow had two assists and Emma James made five saves in the Indians’ win.

— lauren green, Philly.com, "Wednesday's South Jersey roundup: No. 4 Middle Township upsets No. 1 Woodstown in South Jersey playoffs," 1 Nov. 2017
River Hill would have doubled its advantage late in the first half if not for Sowers’ two diving saves.

— kyle stackpole, Howard County Times, "River Hill girls soccer beats Mt. Hebron, 2-1, with late-game header," 20 Sep. 2017
Fallston played three goalies, who combined for five saves.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "Hodrogiannis' two goals lead Fallston to boys soccer win over Havre de Grace," 15 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of save

1883

Other Baseball Terms

alley, cleanup, nightcap, safety, shag

save

preposition

Definition of save

: other than : but, except

no hope save one

See save defined for English-language learners

Examples of save in a Sentence

We had no hope save one.
everyone save me is going to the party

Recent Examples of save from the Web

Coaches on both sides of the field and the ball save wrinkles for this game.

— john shinn diehards, ajc, "Oklahoma mailbag: Mike Stoops’ future and defensive issues," 11 Oct. 2017
Iglesias gave up a run in the ninth but earned his 27th save of the season, 12th of more than one inning and 11th of at least 1 ⅔ innings.

— c. trent rosecrans, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Reds recap: Four solo shots down Pittsburgh Pirates," 15 Sep. 2017
Silence about societal issues accomplishes nothing save making people experiencing the same difficulties feel more alone.

— jennifer wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Hillary Clinton Should Not Shut Up," 13 Sep. 2017
Raisel Iglesias got six outs for his 26th save of the season.

— adry torres, courant.com, "Argument Pauses For 'God Bless America,' Reds Beat Mets 10-5," 11 Sep. 2017
Anthony Swarzak pitched a pair of scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth, and Corey Knebel tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to register his 39th save of the season.

— todd rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers 4, Reds 3: Leaving home with playoff hopes alive," 28 Sep. 2017
So will the memory of Bumgarner making the 2014 postseason his personal showcase, walking out of the Kauffman Stadium bullpen for a five-inning save that secured a Game 7 victory over the Kansas City Royals for title No. 3 in five years.

— jorge l. ortiz, USA TODAY, "Matt Cain: Giants' horse, unheralded but appreciated, will retire after 13 seasons," 27 Sep. 2017
Rookie outfielder Jesse Winker hit his sixth homer of the season, right-hander Sal Romano threw eight shutout innings and Cody Reed recorded his first career save as the Reds beat the Pirates 2-1 on Saturday.

— c. trent rosecrans, Cincinnati.com, "Reds Recap: A glimpse of the future?," 16 Sep. 2017
How much money will getting rid of the bicycle commuting reimbursement save Uncle Sam?

— ajc homepage, ajc, "Jumping into the fine print of the Senate GOP tax reform bill," 10 Nov. 2017

Origin and Etymology of save

Middle English sauf, from Anglo-French sauve, from sauf, adjective, safe — more at safe

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

save Synonyms

Synonyms

apart from, aside from, bar, barring, beside, besides, but, except for, excluding, exclusive of, other than, outside, outside of, except, saving

save

conjunction

Definition of save

1 : except for the fact that : only —used with that

of his earlier years little is known, save that he studied violin
—J. N. Burk

2 : but, except —used before a word often taken to be the subject of a clause

no one knows about it save she

See save defined for English-language learners

Examples of save in a Sentence

Little is known about his early years save that he left home when he was very young.

First Known Use of save

14th century

SAVE Defined for English Language Learners

save

verb

Definition of save for English Language Learners

: to keep (someone or something) safe : to stop (someone or something) from dying or being hurt, damaged, or lost
: to stop (something) from ending or failing : to make (something that is in danger of failing) successful
: to keep (something) from being lost or wasted

save

noun

Definition of save for English Language Learners

: a play that stops an opponent from scoring a goal
baseball of a relief pitcher : the act of keeping a team's lead when replacing another pitcher at the end of a game

save

preposition

Definition of save for English Language Learners

: other than : but or except

SAVE Defined for Kids

save

verb \ ˈsāv \

Definition of save for Students

saved; saving

1 : to free or keep from danger or harm

He saved a child from drowning.

2 : to keep from being ruined : preserve

The group works to save the rain forests.

3 : to put aside for later use

Save some milk for me.

4 : to keep money instead of spending it

5 : to keep from being spent, wasted, or lost

I'm saving my energy.

6 : to make unnecessary

Shortcuts save an hour's driving.

save

preposition

Definition of save for Students

: ¹except 2

It rained every day save one.

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Definition of save

savable

saver

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save

Definition of save

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Other Baseball Terms

save

Definition of save

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Origin and Etymology of save

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Synonyms

save

Definition of save

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First Known Use of save

SAVE Defined for English Language Learners

save

Definition of save for English Language Learners

save

Definition of save for English Language Learners

save

Definition of save for English Language Learners

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