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

An inmate who walked away from an El Dorado County conservation camp earlier this year was arrested in Southern California for burglary, authorities said on Wednesday. — Brandon Downs, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension invites all to participate in a citizen science conservation effort on Friday and Saturday created by the University of Georgia. — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Though the terminal partially resumed operations earlier this month, gas shortages and power cuts have persisted, prompting the government to impose additional electricity-conservation measures last week. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026

The next governor and Legislature must prioritize the state water plan, make necessary changes to expedite projects and encourage conservation, and provide the funding that will be required. — Valerie Pryor, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 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