reserves

Everyday

1. Reserves are supplies kept for later or for an emergency, like food reserves or money reserves. tree →
2. Reserves are extra players who wait to come on if needed (substitutes). tree →
3. Reserves are also soldiers kept ready but not usually in action. tree →
4. A nature reserve is protected land for wild animals and plants. tree →
5. «Reserves» is also the verb: «she reserves a table» means she books it. tree →

In the lessons

In science, animals store fat reserves for winter; countries keep reserves of oil and water. In sport, reserves sit on the bench. In geography, reserves protect wildlife. Phrases: «in reserve», «energy reserves», «nature reserves», «the reserves bench».

Examples

• Bears build up fat reserves before they hibernate. tree →
• I was one of the reserves, so I came on in the second half. tree →
• The country has large reserves of coal. tree →
• We visited two nature reserves on holiday. tree →
• Keep some water in reserve for the walk home. tree →
• Mum always reserves a table at the restaurant. tree →

Note

Plural of «reserve». «In reserve» = kept for later. Adjective «reserved» = shy and quiet, or booked («this seat is reserved»). In some countries «reserve» or «reservation» also means land set aside for Indigenous peoples. In maths, «reserves» left over = total − what was used.