conservation

American  

[kon-ser-vey-shuhn] / ˌkɒn sərˈveɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of conserving; prevention of injury, decay, waste, or loss; preservation.

   conservation of wildlife;

   conservation of human rights.

   Synonyms:

   protection, husbandry, care

2. official supervision of rivers, forests, and other natural resources in order to preserve and protect them through prudent management.

3. a district, river, forest, etc., under such supervision.

4. the careful utilization of a natural resource in order to prevent depletion.

5. the restoration and preservation of works of art.

---

conservation British  

/ ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of conserving or keeping from change, loss, injury, etc

2. 1. protection, preservation, and careful management of natural resources and of the environment

   2. ( as modifier )

      a conservation area

---

conservation Scientific  

/ kŏn′sûr-vā′shən /

1. The protection, preservation, management, or restoration of natural environments and the ecological communities that inhabit them. Conservation is generally held to include the management of human use of natural resources for current public benefit and sustainable social and economic utilization.

---

Other Word Forms

• anticonservation
  noun
• conservational
  adjective
• nonconservation
  noun
• nonconservational
  adjective
• proconservation
  adjective
• self-conservation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of conservation

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English conservacioun, from Latin conservātiōn- (stem of conservātiō ), equivalent to conservāt(us) (past participle of conservāre “to save, preserve”) + -iōn- noun suffix; see conserve, -ate ¹, -ion

Explanation

Conservation is when you keep something from running out — whether it's plants, animals, or resources. Your new conservation project, "Save the Pigeons," might not catch on as quickly as you'd hoped. Conservation is closely related to preservation. Both are positive words that give an impression of care and attention. Your habit of never leaving the couch might sound more impressive if you refer to it as "energy conservation."

Example Sentences

Even so, the researchers say the findings could play an important role in wildlife conservation and invasive species management.

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

A coalition of conservation groups wants Southern California to get 85% of its water locally, up from the 50% it gets now, by 2045, and says a new plan shows how.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

It's protected by conservation law, but the status of the river has been downgraded to "unfavourable - declining" by Natural England.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

According to the researchers, the result acts as a direct quantum mechanical signature of angular momentum conservation inside solids.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2026

Eating locally is also an act of conservation.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

Related Words

• care
• conservancy
• control
• maintenance
• management
• protection
• supervision