When you preserve something, you try to keep it in a good condition.
KEEP
make something/somebody stay in a particular place or condition
- Don’t keep your money under your mattress. That’s the first place burglars check.
- You should invite uncle Joe to the party. He’ll keep the children amused for hours.
PRESERVE
make sure that a particular quality or condition is kept
- Joker was working hard to preserve his reputation as a criminal mastermind.
- Wax polish preserves wooden furniture.
