saving

From save +‎ -ing.

• (UK, US, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈseɪ.vɪŋ/

  • Audio (US):

    (file)

• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˈsæɪ.vɪŋ/
• Rhymes: -eɪvɪŋ

saving (countable and uncountable, plural savings)

1. A reduction in cost or expenditure.

   The shift of the supplier gave us a saving of 10 percent.

2. (countable, usually in the plural) Something (usually money) that is saved, particularly money that has been set aside for the future.

   I invested all my savings in gold.

   The collapse of Enron wiped out the life savings of many people, leaving them poor in their retirement.

3. (uncountable) The action of the verb to save.
4. (law, obsolete) Exception; reservation.

   saving and transitional provisions

   • 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:

     Tis Good Advice not to Contend with Those that are too Strong for us, but still with a saving to Honesty and Justice

saving

1. present participle and gerund of save

saving (comparative more saving, superlative most saving)

1. (theology) That saves someone from damnation; redemptive. [from 14th c.]
2. Preserving; rescuing.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 28:8:

     He is the saving strength of his anointed.

3. Thrifty; frugal. [from 15th c.]

   a saving cook

   • 1932, Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Sunset Song (A Scots Quair), Polygon, published 2006, page 14:

     Three of her bairns were drowned at sea, fishing off the Bervie braes they had been, but the fourth, the boy Cospatric, him that died the same day as the Old Queen, he was douce and saving and sensible, and set putting the estate to rights.

4. Bringing back in returns or in receipts the sum expended; incurring no loss, though not gainful.

   a saving bargain

   The ship has made a saving voyage.

5. Making reservation or exception.

   a saving clause

6. (in compound adjectives) Relating to making a saving.

   labour-saving

   energy-saving light bulbs

saving

1. With the exception of; except; save.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Revelation 2:17:

     And in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

2. Without disrespect to.
   • c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:

     I should be ruled by the fiend, who, saving your reverence, is the devil himself.

   • a. 1796, Robert Burns, The Carle of Kellyburn Braes:

     Saving your presence.

• Givans, vignas

saving

1. Alternative form of savynge