Reservation Meaning
Reservation Definition & Usage
An arrangement to secure a place, service, or accommodation in advance, often involving a fee or guarantee.
Examples
- "I made a reservation at the new restaurant for 7 PM."
- "She called ahead to confirm her hotel reservation."
- "The flight was fully booked, so I had to make a reservation for the next available seat."
- "We need to make a reservation for our wedding reception before the venue gets fully booked."
- "His reservation at the theatre was under the name ‘Johnson’."
A mental hesitation or a feeling of doubt, often regarding an opinion, action, or commitment.
Examples
- "I have some reservations about moving to a new city."
- "Her reservations about the project were based on financial concerns."
- "Despite initial reservations, he eventually agreed to take the job."
- "The committee expressed reservations about the proposed budget changes."
- "John’s reservation about the deal was due to its unclear terms."
A formal exception or stipulation made within an agreement or contract, which limits or qualifies the terms of the agreement.
Examples
- "The contract contains a reservation clause regarding early termination."
- "The agreement included a reservation about the confidentiality of the negotiations."
- "They put a reservation in the lease agreement to ensure the property could be sold later."
- "The reservation of rights clause allows the party to assert claims in the future."
- "His reservation about signing the agreement stemmed from the unclear terms."
Cultural Context
The word 'reservation' comes from the Latin word 'reservatio', meaning 'a keeping back' or 'retention'. In the context of booking services, it refers to securing something in advance, which has become common in hospitality, travel, and services industries worldwide.
The Uncertainty of Reservations
Story
The Uncertainty of Reservations
In a small seaside town, Jane was nervously glancing at her phone, checking her reservation at the newly opened hotel. She had booked it months in advance, but with the uncertainty of a large family reunion taking place at the same time, she had a few reservations about how it would turn out. What if the hotel was overcrowded? What if the service wasn’t up to expectations? Her thoughts were interrupted when her sister, Ellie, called her. ‘Are we still on for the weekend? I made the reservation for dinner at that new restaurant we’ve been talking about.’ Jane laughed, ‘I hope your reservation is better than my hotel one.’ Ellie hesitated. ‘What do you mean?’ ‘I mean, I’m not sure how it will be. There’s just this feeling of hesitation about the whole trip. I’ve made a reservation, but there’s always that doubt, right?’ Ellie chuckled. ‘Yeah, I get that. But think of it this way—you’ve made the reservation, so all you can do now is show up and enjoy it. Besides, you always have some reservations about things!’ As Jane walked into the hotel, the reception desk confirmed her reservation, and for the first time that day, she felt at ease. The room was perfect, and as they gathered for dinner that evening, Jane realized that despite her earlier reservations—both literal and figurative—everything had worked out just fine.
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