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

Initiatives like Project Hiu demonstrate the importance of repurposing the skills and knowledge of those who relied on hunting wildlife into protection efforts, while offering alternate economic opportunities through tourism and conservation. — Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

If accepted by the City Council, the land will be placed in a conservation easement requiring it to remain farmland. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Previously, businesses had to conduct environmental reviews to identify critical habitat, then either take steps to preserve it or get permits to offset any accidental killing by donating to conservation funds elsewhere. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026

Today, there are around 350 adult black robins living on two pest-free nature reserve islands, a recovery that helped put New Zealand conservation efforts on the international map. — Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 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