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save

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verb British English pronunciation: save /seɪv/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theysave
he/she/itsaves
present participlesaving
past tensesaved
past participlesaved
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [transitive] to make it possible for someone or something to avoid danger, harm, injury etc

    campaigns to save the planet/rainforest/whale

    A cure for lung cancer would save thousands of lives each year.

    save someone/something from something:

    Only hard work will save this company from bankruptcy.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of save
    1. a.
      in the Christian religion, to make someone no longer be influenced by the power of evil so that they can go to heaven when they die
      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of save
  2. 2
    [transitive] to avoid using something such as money, time, or energy, or to use less of it

    You can save £25 if you buy your tickets before Saturday.

    Travelling by plane is more expensive, but it saves time.

    save someone something:

    Democrats argue their plan will save the government money in the future.

    save something on something:

    Save up to £10 on your next purchase with this coupon.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of save
  3. 3
    [transitive] to make it possible for someone to avoid doing something

    Setting down clear rules from the start will save arguments later on.

    save someone something:

    If you get some milk on your way home, it'll save me a trip to the shops.

    save someone doing something:

    If you could tell her, that would save me phoning her.

    save someone the trouble/bother/expense (of doing something):

    Buying a machine with a grass box saves you the bother of raking up the grass.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of save
  4. 4
    [transitive] to keep or store something so that you can use it in the future
    save something for someone/something:

    Let's have one piece of cake now and save the rest for later.

    Save some energy for the end of the race.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of save
    1. a.

      save

       or

      save up

       [transitive] to collect a set of things and keep them for a particular purpose

      Save eight tokens and you can get one of these amazing pens!

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of save
    2. b.

      save

       or

      save up

       [intransitive/transitive] to regularly put money in a bank or invest it so that you can use it later

      I've managed to save almost £500 for my holiday.

      save for:

      Don't wait until you're 40 to start saving for retirement.

      save to do something:

      We've been saving to buy a new car.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of save
    3. c.
      [transitive] to keep something for someone by making sure that other people do not take it
      save something for someone:

      Would you please save a place in the queue for me?

      save someone something:

      Save me some dinner and I'll have it when I get in.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of save
  5. 5
    [intransitive/transitive] to make a computer keep information that you have put into it

    Where did you save the file you were working on?

    It's a good idea to save frequently.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of save
  6. 6
    [intransitive/transitive] if a goalkeeper saves a ball in a sport such as football, they prevent the ball from going into the net

    Dearden saved a penalty in the second half.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of save

phrases

phrasal verbs

This is the British English definition of save. View American English definition of save.

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View the pronunciation for save.

 

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a percussion instrument used by football fans which makes a rattling sound when shaken

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