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.

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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

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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.

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Other Word Forms

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

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

“Their conservation success is because of livestock producers in the state.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2026

It "would be a conservation message to the world, that this can be done", he told AFP.

From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said authorities have identified 315 districts at risk of below-normal rainfall and prepared contingency plans, including short-duration crops, less water-intensive varieties and stronger water conservation.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026

The government payments, including those for conservation efforts and safety-net programs when market prices for crops fall below certain levels, would likely prop up total farm income.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026

It also represents a big win for pandas, and for conservation efforts worldwide.

From "Camp Panda" by Catherine Thimmesh

Related Words

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