conservator

noun

con·​ser·​va·​tor kən-ˈsər-və-tər  -və-ˌtȯr 

ˈkän(t)-sər-ˌvā-tər

1

a

: one that preserves from injury or violation : protector

b

: one that is responsible for the care, restoration, and repair of archival or museum articles

2

: a person, official, or institution designated to take over and protect the interests of an incompetent

3

: an official charged with the protection of something affecting public welfare and interests

conservatorial

kən-ˌsər-və-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

(ˌ)kän-

adjective

conservatorship

kən-ˈsər-və-tər-ˌship 

-və-ˌtȯr-;

ˈkän(t)-sər-ˌvā-tər-

noun

Examples of conservator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The project is being led by archaeologist Carlos Flores Manzano, a doctoral candidate at Yale University, under the supervision of conservators and archaeologists from the National Directorate of Culture. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

There are few events that bring together such a diverse group of curators, conservators, historians, gemologists, valuators, auctioneers and other specialists whose work centers on royal jewels. — Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

The late David Bull, who was a conservator, played a large role in how Aso was collecting and consulted with him. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 16 July 2026

Studying that chemistry in ancient concrete requires a sample that nobody has patched or restored along the way—a rare commodity at ruins tended by generations of conservators. — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 11 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conservatour "legal custodian, protector, guardian," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French conservatour, conservator, borrowed from Latin conservātōr-, conservātor "one who preserves, savior" (Medieval Latin, "official custodian, keeper"), from conservāre "to save or keep from danger, preserve" + -tōr-, -tor, agent suffix — more at conserve entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for conservator

• servitor

Legal Definition

conservator

noun

con·​ser·​va·​tor kən-ˈsər-və-tər, ˈkän-sər-ˌvā- 

1

: a person, official, or institution appointed by a court to take over and manage the estate of an incompetent compare committee, curator, guardian, receiver, tutor

2

: a public official charged with the protection of something affecting public welfare and interests

specifically : an official placed in charge of a bank because its affairs are not in a satisfactory condition

conservatorship noun