conservator

noun

con·​ser·​va·​tor kən-ˈsər-və-tər How to pronounce conservator (audio)
-və-ˌtȯr;
ˈkän(t)-sər-ˌvā-tər
1
a
: one that preserves from injury or violation : protector
b
: one that is responsible for the care, restoration, and repair of archival or museum articles
2
: a person, official, or institution designated to take over and protect the interests of an incompetent
3
: an official charged with the protection of something affecting public welfare and interests
conservatorial adjective
conservatorship
kən-ˈsər-və-tər-ˌship How to pronounce conservator (audio)
-və-ˌtȯr-;
ˈkän(t)-sər-ˌvā-tər-
noun

Examples of conservator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Completed in 1709, the library was largely unchanged until a few years ago, when conservators conducted an extensive effort to restore the room and clean its books and manuscripts. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 The agency’s conservators are evaluating the damage to the rotunda. Katherine Itoh, NBC News, 15 Feb. 2024 Since the directive did not list a successor to Melinda, Wilson’s team asked the court to appoint a conservator. Daniel S. Levine, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 Jay Leno has filed to be the conservator of his wife's estate amid a diagnosis of dementia. Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024 Edward Fitzgerald, one of the conservators, had to travel to a school in Columbus, Indiana, to cast a new mold from fiberglass versions of the sculptures that were housed there. Curbed, 12 Jan. 2024 In the early 1990s, a court ordered Landy to exit Wilson’s life and appointed an independent conservator. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 16 Feb. 2024 The egg is now being kept in the Discover Bucks Museum in Aylesbury as conservators develop a plan to extract its contents without compromising its shell. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Feb. 2024 An attorney may be appointed someone’s guardian or conservator if they are declared incapacitated and unable to make financial or personal decisions, according to Alabama law. Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conservator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conservatour "legal custodian, protector, guardian," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French conservatour, conservator, borrowed from Latin conservātōr-, conservātor "one who preserves, savior" (Medieval Latin, "official custodian, keeper"), from conservāre "to save or keep from danger, preserve" + -tōr-, -tor, agent suffix — more at conserve entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of conservator was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near conservator

Cite this Entry

“Conservator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conservator. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

conservator

noun
con·​ser·​va·​tor kən-ˈsər-və-tər, ˈkän-sər-ˌvā- How to pronounce conservator (audio)
1
: a person, official, or institution appointed by a court to take over and manage the estate of an incompetent compare committee, curator, guardian, receiver, tutor
2
: a public official charged with the protection of something affecting public welfare and interests
specifically : an official placed in charge of a bank because its affairs are not in a satisfactory condition
conservatorship noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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