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conservation

kon-ser-VAY-shun /ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃn/

nounB2IELTSTOEFLSAT

generalacademic

The protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and interesting and important structures and buildings, especially from the damaging effects of human activity.

Focuses on the planned management of natural resources to prevent exploitation or destruction.

The story behind the word. From the Latin 'conservare', meaning to keep, preserve, or keep intact. It entered English via Old French and has been used in its environmental sense since the early 20th century.

Word relationships

preservation: Keeping something in its original state; conservation allows for sustainable use.
protection: A more general term for keeping something safe.

destruction: The action or process of causing so much damage to something that it no longer exists.

Commonly confused with

preservation: Conservation is 'wise use'; preservation is 'no use'.

Word family

conserve (verb): Protect (something, especially an environmentally or culturally important place or thing) from harm or destruction.
conservative (adjective): Averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values.

Collocations

marine conservation
conservation efforts
conservation area
nature conservation

Example sentences

"Conservation is a cause that has no end. There is no point at which we will say our work is finished." Political speech.
"Marine conservation areas are essential for allowing fish stocks to recover." Environmental project.

Memory hook

Con-serve: To serve and protect together. Conservation = Protection.

When not to use

Do not confuse with 'preservation', which often implies keeping something exactly as it is without any human use.

Fun facts

The first marine protected area was established in 1935 at Fort Jefferson, Florida.