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

The hotel has put conservation at its core, visible in a shimmering field of floating solar panels, which I am told is one of the largest arrays in southeast Asia. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026

Data highlighted in the conservation framework report show one pronghorn herd in the Shotgun Valley north of Idaho Falls migrates primarily across private land. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 2 June 2026

At first, this recent turmoil was barely apparent at the March meeting, as township officials quietly deliberated on such issues as the fire-department budget and conservation easements. —Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026

The tickets help support animal care, wildlife conservation and education programs. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 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