# conservation

/ˌkɑnsɝˈveɪʃən/ (US) · /kˌɒnsəvˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/conservation
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. protecting nature

noun · CEFR B2

the protection of plants, animals, and natural areas from the damaging effects of human activity.

For teachers: the preservation and management of biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural resources to prevent extinction or habitat loss.

- The local conservation group is working to protect the forest from new housing projects.
- Effective wildlife conservation requires a delicate balance between protecting endangered species and supporting the economic needs of local communities.

Usage: Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'conservation area' or 'conservation effort'.

### 2. saving resources

noun · CEFR B2

the act of using less of something, like water or energy, so that it is not wasted.

For teachers: the planned management of a limited resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect.

- Water conservation becomes very important during the dry summer months.
- The government introduced new tax incentives to encourage energy conservation in industrial manufacturing plants.

### 3. restoring art or buildings

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the professional care and repair of old buildings, art, or historical objects.

For teachers: the professional activity of preserving and restoring cultural heritage, including works of art, architecture, and archaeological finds.

- The museum's conservation department spent months cleaning the ancient painting.
- The conservation of the medieval cathedral involved both structural reinforcement and the delicate cleaning of original stained-glass windows.

### 4. physics: staying the same

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

the fact that the total amount of something, like energy, stays the same even when it changes form.

For teachers: the principle that a total value of a physical magnitude remains constant in a system which is isolated from its surroundings.

- According to the law of conservation of energy, energy cannot be created or destroyed.
- Students must demonstrate a firm grasp of the conservation of momentum before moving on to more complex orbital mechanics.

## Examples

- The group works on the conservation of local forests.
- New laws were passed to support the conservation of the river's fish population after years of overfishing.
- Effective wildlife conservation requires a delicate balance between protecting endangered species and respecting the economic needs of the communities living alongside them.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.