conservatory

American  

[kuhn-sur-vuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / kənˈsɜr vəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

noun

• conservatories
  plural

1. a school giving instruction in one or more of the fine or dramatic arts; specifically, a school of music.

2. a greenhouse, usually attached to a dwelling, for growing and displaying plants.

3. Archaic. a place where things are preserved.

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adjective

1. serving or adapted to conserve; preservative.

conservatory British  

/ kənˈsɜːvətrɪ /

noun

1. a greenhouse, esp one attached to a house

2. another word for conservatoire

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adjective

1. preservative

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• conservatories
  plural

Etymology

Origin of conservatory

1555–65; < Latin conservā ( re ) ( see conserve) + -tory ²; in the sense “music school” < French or Italian; see conservatoire

Explanation

A conservatory is a place to grow. It could be one of those glass greenhouses where rare and delicate plants can thrive. Or it could be a place to grow your artistic talent — like a music conservatory. A conservatory can conserve more than just plants; it can conserve culture, too. And so we have the conservatory as a school for the fine arts, in particular ballet and classical music — often known by their fancy French title, conservatoire. The word comes from the Latin word conservare, meaning "to preserve."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

conservatory conservatories

Under the redevelopment plans, there will be a new lift and staircase in the conservatory to allow public access to raised balconies.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026

Keep them ventilated during the day and, where possible, close internal doors between the conservatory and the rest of the house.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

Two corpse flowers nicknamed Odora and Odorysseus have bloomed at the San Marino conservatory, drawing thousands for the rare occasion and quickly surpassing last year’s numbers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

The conservatory launched the livestream in early June when the bloom seemed imminent.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

Beyond this was the conservatory, with tall glass doors showing them the rain outside, and ferns growing damply around and over wicker furniture.

From "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson

Corpse flowers are showstoppers in the staid world of conservatories and botanic gardens.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

These groups included school and college students, youth athletes, young chess players, and musicians training at conservatories.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 21, 2025

Similarly, don't leave animals shut inside conservatories, sheds or greenhouses.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2025

Even among conservatories, it is exceptional, with a wide age range — from preadolescence to post-baccalaureate adulthood — and a personalized approach, of schedules and repertoire, for musicians who live almost entirely for their art.

From New York Times ● Jun. 4, 2024

Block, who befriended Maria, owned superb conservatories and gardens.

From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman