conservator

1 of 2

noun (1)

con·​ser·​va·​tor kən-ˈsər-və-tər How to pronounce conservator (audio) -və-ˌtȯr How to pronounce conservator (audio)
ˈkän(t)-sər-ˌvā-tər
Synonyms of conservatornext
1
a
: one that preserves from injury or violation : protector
b
: one that is responsible for the care, restoration, and repair of archival or museum articles
2
: a person, official, or institution designated to take over and protect the interests of an incompetent
3
: an official charged with the protection of something affecting public welfare and interests
conservatorial
kən-ˌsər-və-ˈtȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce conservator (audio)
(ˌ)kän-
adjective
conservatorship
kən-ˈsər-və-tər-ˌship How to pronounce conservator (audio)
-və-ˌtȯr-;
ˈkän(t)-sər-ˌvā-tər-
noun

conservatorship

2 of 2

noun (2)

con·​ser·​va·​tor·​ship kən-ˈsər-və-tər-ˌship How to pronounce conservatorship (audio)
-ˌtȯr-;
ˈkän(t)-sər-ˌvā-tər-
plural -s
: the office of conservator

Examples of conservator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The Bayeux Tapestry‘s journey to the British Museum was made possible by a remarkable team of conservators, registrars, engineers, and specialist art handlers whose work is rarely seen by the public—and the Times of London has given them their due. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Some of the most striking features at Château de Cîteaux are the paintings and frescoes painstakingly restored by conservator Alice Gardien in the hotel’s restaurant. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2026 That year the foundation spends $450,000 on conservators and curators, security and storage, digitization, public exhibitions, school programs, and a scholarly catalog. — Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The project is being led by archaeologist Carlos Flores Manzano, a doctoral candidate at Yale University, under the supervision of conservators and archaeologists from the National Directorate of Culture. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for conservator

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English conservatour "legal custodian, protector, guardian," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French conservatour, conservator, borrowed from Latin conservātōr-, conservātor "one who preserves, savior" (Medieval Latin, "official custodian, keeper"), from conservāre "to save or keep from danger, preserve" + -tōr-, -tor, agent suffix — more at conserve entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of conservator was in the 15th century

Rhymes for conservator

See All Rhymes for conservator

Browse Nearby Words

conservatoire
conservator
conservatorium
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conservator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conservator. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Legal Definition

conservator

noun
con·​ser·​va·​tor kən-ˈsər-və-tər, ˈkän-sər-ˌvā- How to pronounce conservator (audio)
1
: a person, official, or institution appointed by a court to take over and manage the estate of an incompetent compare committee, curator, guardian, receiver, tutor
2
: a public official charged with the protection of something affecting public welfare and interests
specifically : an official placed in charge of a bank because its affairs are not in a satisfactory condition
conservatorship noun

More from Merriam-Webster on conservator

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for conservator

Nglish: Translation of conservator for Spanish Speakers

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