conservatory

noun

con·​ser·​va·​to·​ry kən-ˈsər-və-ˌtȯr-ē 

plural conservatories

1

: a greenhouse for growing or displaying plants

2

: a school specializing in one of the fine arts

a music conservatory

Synonyms of conservatory

• greenhouse

Examples of conservatory in a Sentence

the Peabody Conservatory of Music

the college's conservatory is entirely devoted to cultivating and displaying orchids

Recent Examples on the Web

Other unique features include a one-and-a-half-story glass conservatory and a terrace. —Lauryn Azu, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

The 15-room, 5-bedroom apartment featured a conservatory and a library. —Elle Meier, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026

Lewis added that strollers must be parked outside the conservatory and food or drinks aren’t allowed inside, so visitors should plan accordingly. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Mar. 2026

The next day, in the conservatory (with a pipe), Sophie finally gives her answer. —Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin conservātōrium "something that preserves" (Medieval Latin, "fish pond"), from Latin conservāre "to save or keep from danger, preserve" + -tōrium, suffix of places (from neuter of -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor); (sense 2) after Italian conservatorio, originally denoting a home for foundlings and orphans who were given a musical education — more at conserve entry 1

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

conservatory

noun

con·​ser·​va·​to·​ry kən-ˈsər-və-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

plural conservatories

1

: a greenhouse for growing or displaying plants

2

: a place of instruction in some special study (as music)