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

Over $150,000 in additional funding for the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension District, with the same quarterly report provision as the conservation district, bringing its budget to $182,500. —Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 21 June 2024

This nature haven and retreat center serves as a space for land rejuvenation, conservation efforts and community engagement to channel child-like wonder. —Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 20 June 2024

Drought, aggressive conservation continue in Las Vegas Studies have long documented that agriculture, specifically alfalfa and hay, are the biggest guzzlers of Colorado River water by a large margin. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024

Related Amazon still has a serious plastic waste problem in the US Image: Amazon A recent report from the nonprofit conservation organization Oceana estimates that the company generated 208 million pounds of plastic waste from its packaging in the US in 2022. —Emma Roth, The Verge, 20 June 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