conservancy

noun

con·​ser·​van·​cy kən-ˈsər-vən(t)-sē How to pronounce conservancy (audio)
plural conservancies
1
British : a board regulating fisheries and navigation in a river or port
2
b
: an organization or area designated to conserve and protect natural resources

Examples of conservancy in a Sentence

The land was recently donated to a local conservancy. raising money for the conservancy of natural resources
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The conservancy bought the block in 2007 for $2.5 million, according to public records. Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 28 June 2025 However, because the reserve is on state land, the conservancy needed to work with appropriate state agencies to launch its program. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025 Community participation will be crucial to the effort as the conservancy works to document buildings and sites, as well as more ephemeral heritage such as local traditions, oral histories and cultural practices. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025 Hundreds braved a sudden late May rain and turned out for the celebration, which featured information about Voyageurs, food, live music and a silent auction to raise money for the conservancy’s efforts. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for conservancy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conservancie "act of conserving or keeping safe," borrowed from Medieval Latin conservantia "conservation, office of a conservator," noun derivative of Latin conservant-, conservans, present participle of conservāre "to save or keep from danger, preserve, keep unchanged" — more at conserve entry 1

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conservancy was in 1667

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Cite this Entry

“Conservancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conservancy. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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