ˌkän(t)sə(r)ˈvāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English conservacioun, from Middle French conservation, from Latin conservation-, conservatio, from conservatus (past participle of conservare to conserve) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at conserve
1. : deliberate, planned, or thoughtful preserving, guarding, or protecting : a keeping in a safe or entire state : preservation
the conservation of the ideal of liberty
the conservation of religious shrines
the conservation of the individual's nervous energy — Ralph Linton
specifically : the repair and preservation of works of art
2. : care or keeping and supervision of something by a governmental authority or by a private association or business: as
a. : planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect
wild-life conservation
conservation of the Northwest
b. : the wise utilization of a natural product especially by a manufacturer so as to prevent waste and insure future use of resources that have been depleted
3. : a field of knowledge concerned with coordination and plans for the practical application of data from ecology, limnology, pedology, and other sciences that are significant to preservation of natural resources
offering graduate degrees in conservation