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-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• conservancy
• preservation
• sustentation

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 Minnesota State Lottery sends 40% of its revenue to the state’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to pay for conservation projects. —Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2024

Safari Club International also contributed two conservation grants, according to the research acknowledgements. —Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024

The nature walk was a poignant moment in the heir to the British throne's ongoing environmental campaign, bringing attention to the work of conservation rangers who patrol the urban national park. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Inspired by his late father, Irwin, along with his sister Bindi Irwin, 26, and the rest of their family, passionately support their animal conservation foundation, Wildlife Warriors, and work to protect endangered species through Australia Zoo. —Simon Perry, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

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

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