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.
In other words, the conservation objective has to come first, with the market serving as a tool rather than becoming the goal itself. — Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 The money will go to conservation groups and local partners working on species the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies as endangered, critically endangered, or extinct in the wild. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 But any solution to refill the lake will likely involve conservation within Utah. — Silvia Console Battilana, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 The agreement itself doesn’t choose which species to save, but its rules are designed to shape national conservation priorities and guide the funds that pay for conservation. — David Ginsburg, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 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

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