Reserved Those Seats: Meaning, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：reserve seats (reserved those seats)

reserved those seats 🔊

/rɪˈzɜːrvd ðoʊz siːts/

verb phrase

To have set aside specific seats for later use, usually by paying or registering in advance.

Family pointing at reserved seats tags in train carriage

reserve seats 🔊

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/rɪˈzɜːrv siːts/

verb phrase

To arrange for specific seats to be kept available for a person or group, often by paying or registering in advance.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'reservare' (re- 'back' + servare 'to keep'), literally 'to keep back'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'Re-serve' seats — serve them again later by setting them aside for you.

📖 Example

When we arrived at the restaurant, the hostess smiled and said, "Your table is ready. I see you've reserved those seats by the window." 🔊 When we reached the restaurant, the hostess cheerfully told us our table was ready and pointed out that we had booked those seats near the window.

🔗 Collocations

reserve a seat – To book or hold a single seat in advance.

reserve seats online – To arrange seat reservations through a website or app.

reserve seats for guests – To set aside seats for invited people.

🔄 Synonyms

book (verb) – To arrange to have a seat, ticket, etc., at a future time.

secure (verb) – To obtain or guarantee possession of a seat through advance arrangement.

hold (verb) – To keep a seat temporarily until someone claims it.

🚫 Antonyms

release (verb) – To give up or make a seat available again after holding it.

cancel (verb) – To void a reservation, making the seats available for others.

surrender (verb) – To voluntarily give up a reserved seat.

🌱 Derivatives

reservation (noun) – An arrangement to have something (like a seat) held for your use.

reserved (adjective) – Set aside for a particular person or purpose; also describes a person who is quiet.

unreserved (adjective) – Not set aside; fully available for anyone.

📖 Cultural Story

The phrase reflects the common practice in theaters and transportation since the 19th century to hold specific seats for ticket holders, ensuring their spot.