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 new Seaquarium would instead sell tickets to an aquarium with no marine mammals, provide free access to a baywalk along the Biscayne shore, and feature activities and centers dedicated to conservation education. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026

The Getty will work with local authorities on the first-ever conservation project on a 17th-century earthen church in the Andean highlands of the Cusco region of Peru. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 9 Nov. 2026

Willie Roberts is one of Kenya's great conservation mavericks. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Nov. 2026

Hunters already contribute to conservation through license fees, excise taxes and keeping wildlife populations at healthy densities. — Eric Michel, The Conversation, 6 Nov. 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