conservation

noun

con·​ser·​va·​tion ˌkän(t)-sər-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce conservation (audio)
Synonyms of conservation
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-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce conservation (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of conservation

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Assembly Bill 2494 eliminates what’s often cast as a logging mandate, instead prioritizing values such as carbon storage, wildfire resilience and biodiversity conservation. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 The park had water conservation initiatives in place even before the latest flooding and damage. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Throughout the journey, the conservationist, television host and executive producer encounters black bears, alligators and native fish while documenting active wildlife rescue and conservation efforts. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026 Kessel said the project is a proof of concept for yet another tool in shark conservation, especially as there are still skeptics in the field. — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conservation

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of conservation was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing conservation

Rhymes for conservation

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Browse Nearby Words

conservant
conservation
conservational
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Cite this Entry

“Conservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conservation. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

conservation

noun
con·​ser·​va·​tion ˌkän(t)-sər-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce conservation (audio)
: a careful preservation and protection of something
especially : planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, pollution, destruction, or neglect

More from Merriam-Webster on conservation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about conservation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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