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 program is part of a broader effort by conservation teams to control the Burmese python population in the Everglades, where the invasive snakes have established a permanent breeding population and reduced some native mammal species by as much as 99%. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026

The king, who has long advocated for the environment and conservation, made a case for doing more for the environment in the future. —Ana Ceballos follow, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

The method is now helping conservation teams locate and remove more of the invasive snakes as python populations continue damaging native wildlife across South Florida. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026

The reaction split social media, turning Gervais’ post into a flashpoint in a broader debate over hunting, conservation and how deaths like this are discussed publicly. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 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