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 findings add fresh fuel to California’s growing debate over how to balance wolf conservation with protecting ranchers. — Scott Lebar. Story Produced With Ai Assistance, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

Lindblad perpetually draws a crowd interested in the intersection of science, conservation, culture, and expedition travel, and Islander II's guests are no different. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026

Dixon was the chief operating officer at the nonprofit conservation organization when Paul Baribault abruptly stepped down as CEO more than 15 months ago. — Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2026

Her research focuses on the diversity and function of microbial communities in extreme environments, with connections to biotechnology, climate change and environmental conservation. — Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 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