reserve

Universal Words verb, noun verb [VN] 1 ~ sth (for sb/sth) to ask for a seat, table, room, etc. to be available for you or sb else at a future time: I'd like to reserve a table for three for eight o'clock. * I've reserved a room in the name of Jones. compareBOOK 2 ~ sth (for sb/sth) to keep sth for sb/sth, so that it cannot be used by any other person or for any other reason: These seats are reserved for special guests. * I'd prefer to reserve (my) judgement (= not make a decision) until I know all the facts. * She said this in the tone of voice she reserved for addressing small children. 3 to have or keep a particular power: The management reserves the right to refuse admission. * (law) All rights reserved (= nobody else can publish or copy this). noun supply 1 [C,usually pl.] a supply of sth that is available to be used in the future or when it is needed: large oil and gas reserves * He discovered unexpected reserves of strength. * The company has substantial reserves of capital. * reserve assets / funds protected land 2 (AmE also preserve) [C] a piece of land that is a protected area for animals, plants, etc: a wildlife reserve seealsoGAMERESERVE, NATURERESERVE 3 [C] = RESERVATION quality / feeling 4 [U] the quality that sb has when they do not talk easily to other people about their ideas, feelings, etc: She found it difficult to make friends because of her natural reserve. * Jaime always talked to people without reserve. 5 [U] (formal) a feeling that you do not want to accept or agree to sth, etc. until you are quite sure that it is all right to do so: Any contract should be treated with reserve until it has been checked. * She trusted him without reserve (= completely). in sport 6 [C] an extra player who plays in a team when one of the other players is injured or not available to play 7 (the reserves) [pl.] a team that plays when the usual one is not available military force 8 (the reserve) [sing.] (also the reserves [pl.]) an extra military force, etc. that is not part of a country's regular forces, but is available to be used when needed: the army reserve(s) * the reserve police price 9 (also reserve price) [C] (BrE) the lowest price that sb will accept for sth, especially sth that is sold at an AUCTION: The painting failed to reach to its reserve and was withdrawn from the sale. IDIOMS in reserve available to be used in the future or when needed: The money was being kept in reserve for their retirement. * 200 police officers were held in reserve.