1. (noun)modesty, reserve formality and propriety of manner
2. (noun)reserve, backlog, stockpile something kept back or saved for future use or a special purpose
3. (noun)substitute, reserve, second-stringer an athlete who plays only when a starter on the team is replaced
4. (noun)reserve (medicine) potential capacity to respond in order to maintain vital functions
5. (noun)reservation, reserve a district that is reserved for particular purpose
6. (noun)military reserve, reserve armed forces that are not on active duty but can be called in an emergency
7. (noun)reserve, reticence, taciturnity the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary
8. (verb)reserve hold back or set aside, especially for future use or contingency
"they held back their applause in anticipation"
9. (verb)allow, appropriate, earmark, set aside, reserve give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
"I will earmark this money for your research"; "She sets aside time for meditation every day"
10. (verb)reserve obtain or arrange (for oneself) in advance
"We managed to reserve a table at Maxim's"
11. (verb)reserve, hold, book arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
"reserve me a seat on a flight"; "The agent booked tickets to the show for the whole family"; "please hold a table at Maxim's"