conservation

noun

con·​ser·​va·​tion ˌkän(t)-sər-ˈvā-shən 

1

: a careful preservation and protection of something

especially : planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect

water conservation

wildlife conservation

2

: the preservation of a physical quantity during transformations or reactions

conservational

ˌkän(t)-sər-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of conservation

• preservation

Examples of conservation in a Sentence

They are trying to raise money for conservation.

the conservation of the environment

She specializes in the conservation of furniture.

the conservation of religious shrines

Recent Examples on the Web

Many of the staff working at Cape Kidnappers are young adults from abroad on short-term work visas—some are here to combine their hospitality work with their conservation work at Cape Sanctuary (more on that below), as well as with some personal travel in New Zealand. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026

The ability to generate a broad snapshot of biodiversity is critical for conservation, especially as Rwanda expands some of its national parks by rehabilitating previously agricultural land. —Evelyne Musambi, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026

Occasionally, when conditions are just right, their population explodes, said Stuart Weiss, a conservation ecologist and chief scientist at Creekside Science in Los Gatos. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 26 May 2026

This year’s fundraiser will take place at a private Solana Beach residence, overlooking the lagoon and coast, where guests will celebrate WILDCOAST’s high-impact conservation work. —Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conservacioun "maintenance in good condition," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French conservacion "preservation, protection," borrowed from Latin conservātiōn-, conservātiō "action of keeping intact or unharmed, preservation," from conservāre "to save or keep from danger, preserve, keep unchanged" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at conserve entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing conservation

• anti-conservation
• conservation area
• conservation of charge
• conservation of energy
• conservation of mass

Rhymes for conservation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

conservation

noun

con·​ser·​va·​tion ˌkän(t)-sər-ˈvā-shən 

: a careful preservation and protection of something

especially : planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, pollution, destruction, or neglect