In general, **reserves** refer to resources that are kept back or set aside for future use. In different contexts, the term can have specific meanings:

- **In finance or accounting**, reserves are portions of profits or funds set aside to cover future liabilities, losses, or specific purposes (such as a capital reserve or a revenue reserve).
- **In natural resources**, reserves describe the quantity of a material—such as oil, minerals, or gas—that is known to exist and can be extracted economically with current technology.
- **In general usage**, reserves can also refer to supplies or assets held for emergency or backup situations.