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

Officers conducted final checks on the turtles at a conservation center on Serangan Island, also known as Turtle Island, in southern Bali. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Prop 137 diverts money from the state's current sales tax on sporting goods to conservation, wildfire risk mitigation and outdoor recreation programs. — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

The discovery is a huge victory for conservation efforts across the Indian Ocean. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

In recent years, California has increasingly prioritized wildlife crossings in its conservation strategy. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 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