Environment / B2

kons-uh-VAYSHUN/ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃn/

Conservation is the protection of nature, buildings, or resources: wildlife conservation, energy conservation, conservation of a listed church. Protection is everyday; preservation is a close cousin, often of keeping something unchanged; saving is informal for energy. Conserve is the verb. In speech, protecting wildlife / saving energy is enough. Conservation is not conversation (talk) — a spelling trap — and not conservatism (a political outlook).

Meaning

The protection of nature, buildings, or resources.

Examples

• “The park is important for wildlife conservation.”
• “The park is important for wildlife conservation, not only for picnics.”
• “Energy conservation started with shutting the lab windows, not a new slogan.”

Good to know

Protecting nature, buildings, or resources. Verb: conserve. Everyday: protection / saving. Close: preservation. Contrast: conversation; conservatism.

Near in meaning

preservation

Topics

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