conservator

1 of 2

noun (1)

con·​ser·​va·​tor kən-ˈsər-və-tər  -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

kən-ˌsər-və-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

(ˌ)kän-

adjective

conservatorship

kən-ˈsər-və-tər-ˌship 

-və-ˌtȯr-;

ˈkän(t)-sər-ˌvā-tər-

noun

conservatorship

2 of 2

noun (2)

con·​ser·​va·​tor·​ship kən-ˈsər-və-tər-ˌship 

-ˌtȯr-;

ˈkän(t)-sər-ˌvā-tər-

plural -s

: the office of conservator

Examples of conservator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Thursday evening, joking about his suspension last year for his comments about reactions to conservator commentator Charlie Kirk’s death. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 20 June 2026

The arrest comes after a tumultuous several years for the union, which was briefly run by a conservator after other top officers were suspended from their positions over financial issues. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026

Perhaps no one understands the allure of these properties better than Patricia Miller, the chief conservator at the Preservation Society of Newport County. — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

Three out of the four species can break down phenol, an antifungal compound that conservators used to treat the mummy in 1991. — ArsTechnica, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (1)

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

Rhymes for conservator

• servitor

Legal Definition

conservator

noun

con·​ser·​va·​tor kən-ˈsər-və-tər, ˈkän-sər-ˌvā- 

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