Reservation: meaning, definitions and examples

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reservation

 

[ ˌrɛzəˈveɪʃən ]

Context #1 | Noun

hotel

An arrangement in which something such as a seat on an aircraft or a table at a restaurant is kept for you until a particular time.

Synonyms

appointment, arrangement, booking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
reservation

Used when securing a spot or service, commonly in hotels, restaurants, or flights. It suggests a formal commitment to hold something.

  • I made a reservation at the restaurant for 7 PM.
  • We need to confirm our hotel reservation before we leave for the trip.
booking

Typically used for securing tickets or spaces in entertainment, travel, and hospitality industries. It emphasizes the act of reserving something in advance.

  • I completed my flight booking online.
  • She made a booking for a concert next month.
appointment

Appropriate for scheduled meetings or visits, often with professionals like doctors, lawyers, or consultants.

  • I have a doctor's appointment at 10 AM.
  • She scheduled an appointment with her lawyer for next week.
arrangement

Refers to the act of organizing something or planning in advance, which could involve preparations or specific logistics. It is more general and can be used in various scenarios.

  • We made all the arrangements for the conference.
  • He took care of all the travel arrangements for the team.

Examples of usage

  • The hotel confirmed my reservation for a double room.
  • I made a reservation at the restaurant for 7:00 pm.
Context #2 | Noun

legal

The action of reserving something exclusively for a particular use or purpose.

Synonyms

allocation, designation, setting aside.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
reservation

Here, 'reservation' can also mean having doubts or concerns about something, and it usually carries a mildly negative connotation.

  • I have my reservations about the new policy.
  • She expressed her reservations regarding the project's feasibility.
allocation

This word is suitable when you are talking about distributing resources or assigning tasks. It is often used in official or professional settings.

  • The allocation of resources was more efficient this quarter.
  • The project manager is responsible for the allocation of tasks.
setting aside

This phrase is used when you want to talk about saving something for future use or for a specific purpose. It is more casual and general.

  • We are setting aside money for our summer vacation.
  • Make sure to set aside some time for exercise each day.
designation

This word refers to officially naming or appointing someone or something to a position or role. It's often used in formal contexts.

  • The designation of John as team leader was well-received.
  • Her official designation is Senior Project Manager.

Examples of usage

  • The reservation of the right to make decisions lies with the board of directors.
  • The reservation of the funds for the project was approved by the committee.
Context #3 | Noun

Native American

An area of land set aside for occupation by North American Indians.

Synonyms

land, territory.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
reservation

This term is most often used to describe a protected area set aside for indigenous peoples or wildlife. In a different context, it also refers to booking a place such as a table at a restaurant or a room at a hotel.

  • The Native American tribe lives on a reservation.
  • I made a reservation for dinner at the new restaurant.
territory

This word is usually used to define an area under the jurisdiction or control of a particular group, government, or animal. It can often be related to political discussions or wildlife habitats.

  • The country expanded its territory after the war.
  • Lions are very protective of their territory.
land

This term refers to the solid part of the Earth's surface. It is also widely used in discussions pertaining to property ownership and real estate.

  • Farmers cultivate the land for crops.
  • She owns a large piece of land near the lake.

Examples of usage

  • The reservation has its own governing body and laws.
  • She grew up on a Native American reservation.

Translations

Translations of the word "reservation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reserva

🇮🇳 आरक्षण

🇩🇪 Reservierung

🇮🇩 reservasi

🇺🇦 резервація

🇵🇱 rezerwacja

🇯🇵 予約 (よやく)

🇫🇷 réservation

🇪🇸 reservación

🇹🇷 rezervasyon

🇰🇷 예약 (ye-yak)

🇸🇦 حجز (ḥajz)

🇨🇿 rezervace

🇸🇰 rezervácia

🇨🇳 预订 (yùdìng)

🇸🇮 rezervacija

🇮🇸 pöntun

🇰🇿 брондау

🇬🇪 დაჯავშნა (dajavshna)

🇦🇿 rezervasiya

🇲🇽 reservación

Etymology

The word 'reservation' originated in the late 17th century from the verb 'reserve' with the suffix '-ation'. It initially referred to the action of keeping back or withholding something. Over time, its usage expanded to include the concept of booking or setting aside something for future use. In the context of Native American reservations, the term gained prominence during the colonization of North America when specific areas of land were designated for indigenous tribes by the government.

See also: reservations, reserve, reserved, reservedly, reserves, reservist, unreserved.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,388 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.