Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Preservation \Pres`er*va"tion\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]servation.]
   The act or process of preserving, or keeping safe; the state
   of being preserved, or kept from injury, destruction, or
   decay; security; safety; as, preservation of life, fruit,
   game, etc.; a picture in good preservation.

         Give us particulars of thy preservation. --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

preservation
     n 1: the activity of protecting something from loss or danger
          [syn: {saving}]
     2: the condition of being (well or ill) preserved
     3: a process that saves organic substances from decay
     4: an occurrence of improvement by virtue of preventing loss or
        injury or other change [syn: {conservation}]