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Reserves: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’ฐ
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reserves

[rษชหˆzษœหrvz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in banking

Funds that are not immediately required by a financial institution and are set aside for specific purposes such as covering potential losses or meeting regulatory requirements.

Synonyms

funds, savings, stockpile.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
reserves

Can also refer to a backup or secondary resource, often as an emergency or additional resource in various contexts.

  • The company used its reserves to cover unexpected costs.
  • In sports, teams have reserves to substitute in case of injuries.
funds

Typically referring to money saved or provided for a specific purpose, such as an investment, project, or organization.

  • The charity event raised funds for the new hospital wing.
  • She set aside funds for her child's education.
savings

Refers to money that is set aside, typically in a bank, for future use or emergencies. It often involves personal finance.

  • She dipped into her savings to pay for the car repairs.
  • It's wise to keep some savings for unexpected expenses.
stockpile

Refers to a large accumulated stock of goods, materials, or resources, often for future use or emergencies. This term can have a slightly negative connotation if implying hoarding.

  • They maintained a stockpile of canned food for the winter.
  • The company has a stockpile of raw materials to prevent production delays.

Examples of usage

  • The bank holds large reserves to ensure they can cover unexpected withdrawals.
  • The reserves can also be used to provide liquidity during times of financial stress.
Context #2 | Noun

in natural resources

A supply of a commodity not needed for immediate use but available if required.

Synonyms

hoard, stash, stockpile.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
reserves

Used in a formal or official context to indicate a designated quantity of resources set aside for future use, often by organizations, governments, or businesses.

  • The government tapped into its oil reserves during the crisis.
  • The bank held significant reserves to ensure financial stability.
stockpile

Suggests a large accumulation of goods, usually for precautionary reasons, often in preparation for potential shortages or emergencies.

  • The supermarket started to stockpile essential goods as a precaution.
  • They maintained a stockpile of medical supplies for emergencies.
hoard

Implies an excessive, often secretive accumulation of items, usually with a negative connotation. It suggests keeping more than necessary, often due to fear or greed.

  • He had a hoard of old newspapers in his attic.
  • The billionaire was criticized for hoarding wealth while many suffered in poverty.
stash

Informal term indicating a hidden collection of items, often used in everyday conversations. It may imply secrecy but not necessarily in a negative sense.

  • She kept a stash of candy in her drawer.
  • He found his father's stash of old coins.

Examples of usage

  • The country has significant oil reserves that can be tapped into if necessary.
  • The reserves of natural gas are expected to last for several decades.
Context #3 | Verb

in sports

To retain or keep for future use or enjoyment.

Synonyms

keep, save, set aside.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
reserves

Typically used to refer to a specific stock or supply of resources or materials set aside for future use. Often used in formal or professional contexts.

  • The company has significant cash reserves
  • The government maintains oil reserves for emergencies
keep

Commonly used in everyday language to indicate retaining possession or control of something.

  • I will keep this book for a while
  • She decided to keep her old clothes in the attic
save

Often used to describe the act of putting something away for future use, especially money or time. Can be used in both casual and formal settings.

  • Save your money for a rainy day
  • She saved the document before closing the program
set aside

Usually suggests designating something for a specific purpose or future use. Can be used in planning or preparation contexts.

  • I have set aside some time for this meeting
  • They set aside funds for the upcoming project

Examples of usage

  • The coach decided to reserve his star player for the final match of the season.
  • She reserved her energy for the last lap of the race.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'reservare', which means to keep back or hold.
  • It has been used in English since the late Middle Ages, originally referring to the act of keeping something for future use.

Economics

  • In finance, reserves can refer to cash or other assets held by banks and financial institutions to meet regulatory requirements or for emergencies.
  • Countries maintain foreign exchange reserves to stabilize their currency against unidentified economic pressures or crises.

Nature

  • Reserves in ecological terms often mean a protected area designated for wildlife conservation, preventing species extinction.
  • Marine reserves are designated areas in oceans where fishing and other damaging activities are restricted to preserve marine life.

Culture

  • In military terminology, 'reserves' refer to troops not currently engaged in combat but available to be deployed when needed.
  • In art, 'reserves' can refer to elements intentionally left blank or untouched to draw attention to the surrounding features.

Psychology

  • Psychologically, having emotional reserves can refer to inner strength or coping strategies individuals keep for difficult times.
  • People may also have reserves of willpower, which can help in self-control and resisting temptation in challenging situations.

Translations

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Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,217, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.