From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
preservation
n 1: the activity of protecting something from loss or danger
[syn: saving]
2: the condition of being (well or ill) preserved
3: a process that saves organic substances from decay
4: an occurrence of improvement by virtue of preventing loss or
injury or other change [syn: conservation]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Preservation \Pres`er*va"tion\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]servation.]
The act or process of preserving, or keeping safe; the state
of being preserved, or kept from injury, destruction, or
decay; security; safety; as, preservation of life, fruit,
game, etc.; a picture in good preservation.
[1913 Webster]
Give us particulars of thy preservation. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]