self-preservation

noun

self-pres·​er·​va·​tion ˌself-ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce self-preservation (audio)
1
: preservation of oneself from destruction or harm
2
: a natural or instinctive tendency to act so as to preserve one's own existence

Examples of self-preservation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For Putin, these were not goodwill gestures but measures of self-preservation designed to advance his broader aim of subjugating Ukraine. — Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026 Flaco the owl became a celebrity Central Park resident, with breathless news coverage of Flaco’s impressive self-preservation skills and, eventually, mournful obituaries when Flaco died after flying into a building. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026 Nargeolet’s family have sued OceanGate, and Dawood says she’s been asked to join lawsuits, but doesn’t want to out of self-preservation. — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 That’s probably out of necessity because a lot of these guys and gals probably do that for self-preservation because things get so dark. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-preservation

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-preservation was circa 1614

Rhymes for self-preservation

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Browse Nearby Words

self-preoccupied
self-preservation
self-preservative
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Cite this Entry

“Self-preservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-preservation. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

self-preservation

noun
self-pres·​er·​va·​tion
ˌself-ˌprez-ər-ˈvā-shən
: the keeping of oneself from destruction or harm
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