English Reference
Noun

conservationist

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌkɑnsɝˈveɪʃənɪst/ UK /kˌɒnsəvˈeɪʃənˌɪst/ con·ser·va·tion·ist UK spelling conservationist's, conservationist's

n.a person who works to protect and save nature, like animals, forests, and clean water. They want to make sure these things stay healthy for the future.

n.a person who advocates for or practices the protection and preservation of natural resources and wildlife. Often involved in environmental science or policy to prevent extinction and habitat loss.


SIMPLE

The conservationist spent years protecting the local bird population.

CONTEXTUAL

A dedicated conservationist recently started a campaign to stop the construction of a dam that would destroy the river's ecosystem.

COMPLEX

While some critics argue for economic development, the conservationist maintains that preserving the rainforest is the only way to ensure long-term biodiversity and carbon stability for the region.

The discovery has given conservationists new hope for the species and opened up the possibilities of where more can be found.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

The future of endangered species across the world could be affected unless the government brings in new laws soon, to make it easier to transfer animals around the globe, conservationists say.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026

Common in science writing


From conservation + -ist.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated