conservation/͵kɑnsɚˋveʃən; ˌkɒnsəˈveIʃ$n/n [U] 1 the protection of natural things such as animals, plants, forests etc〔自然界的〕保护: +of conservation of the countryside 对乡村的保护conservation groups 环境保护团体2 when you prevent something from being wasted 节约: +of the conservation of resources 节约资源 —conservationist n [C]