preservation

 
Pronunciation: /prɛzəˈveɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • the action of preserving something: the preservation of the city’s green spaces food preservation
  • the state of being preserved, especially to a specified degree: the chapel is in a poor state of preservation

Origin:

late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin praeservatio(n-), from late Latin praeservare 'to keep' (see preserve)