conservation

UK: /ˌkɒnsə^rˈveɪʃ^ən/ US: /ˌkɑnsɚˈveɪʃən/ ,(kon′sər vā′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•ser•va•tion /ˌkɑnsɚˈveɪʃən/   n. [uncountable]

1. the controlled use of natural resources to preserve or protect them or to prevent waste:
   fought for the conservation of our natural resources.
2. the protection, restoration, and preservation of works of art.

con•ser•va•tion•al, adj. See -serv-².

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•ser•va•tion  (kon′sər vā′shən), n. 

1. the act of conserving;
   prevention of injury, decay, waste, or loss;
   preservation:
   conservation of wildlife; conservation of human rights.
2. official supervision of rivers, forests, and other natural resources in order to preserve and protect them through prudent management.
3. a district, river, forest, etc., under such supervision.
4. the careful utilization of a natural resource in order to prevent depletion.
5. the restoration and preservation of works of art.

• Latin conservātiōn- (stem of conservātiō), equivalent. to conservāt(us) (past participle of conservāre to conserve; see -ate¹) + -iōn- -ion
• Middle English conservacioun 1350–1400

con′ser•va′tion•al, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. care, husbandry, protection.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

conservation / ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃən/ noun

1. the act or an instance of conserving or keeping from change, loss, injury, etc
2. protection, preservation, and careful management of natural resources and of the environment
3. (as modifier): a conservation area

ˌconserˈvational adjective