conservationist

American  

[kon-ser-vey-shuh-nist] / ˌkɒn sərˈveɪ ʃə nɪst /

noun

1. a person who advocates or promotes conservation, especially of natural resources.

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conservationist British  

/ ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃənɪst /

noun

1. a person who advocates or strongly promotes preservation and careful management of natural resources and of the environment

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Other Word Forms

• anticonservationist noun
• proconservationist adjective

Etymology

Origin of conservationist

First recorded in 1865–70; conservation + -ist

Compare meaning

How does conservationist compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• conservationist vs. environmentalist

Example Sentences

Poaching is still a challenge in Uganda, where authorities have arrested and prosecuted individuals found with ivory, pangolins and other endangered species, conservationists report.

From BBC

A group of young marine conservationists stood nervously in line waiting to greet the royal.

From The Wall Street Journal

A keen conservationist, he drove more than 90 minutes from his Surrey home with the sole purpose of seeing one.

From BBC

Farmers and conservationists alike told me they need to see clear plans for what policymakers want from the uplands for the next generation.

From BBC

News of the recently documented breeding behavior has excited condor conservationists beyond Yurok country.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• environmentalist