conservation

noun

con·​ser·​va·​tion ˌkän(t)-sər-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce conservation (audio)
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 adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By April, according to a WhatsApp conservation between former employees reviewed by The Times, the balance had fallen to $4.2 million. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025 In November, the firm co-guaranteed $70 million of debt held by the Bahamas, allowing the government to borrow at a lower cost and allocate the savings to marine conservation. Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 1 May 2025 Through intimate storytelling and diverse perspectives—from wildlife conservation to conflict zones—the series explores what drives image-makers in a world oversaturated with photos, yet still hungry for meaning. Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 1 May 2025 Now, a new study offers some hope for the beloved species’ conservation. Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for conservation

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of conservation was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Conservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conservation. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

conservation

noun
con·​ser·​va·​tion ˌkän(t)-sər-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce conservation (audio)
: a careful preservation and protection of something
especially : planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, pollution, destruction, or neglect

More from Merriam-Webster on conservation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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