conservator

noun

con·​ser·​va·​tor kən-ˈsər-və-tər  -və-ˌtȯr 

ˈkän(t)-sər-ˌvā-tər

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 

(ˌ)kän-

adjective

conservatorship

kən-ˈsər-və-tər-ˌship 

-və-ˌtȯr-;

ˈkän(t)-sər-ˌvā-tər-

noun

Examples of conservator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During the restoration process for the gown, the conservators found that the satin had held up well, as had the silver lace along the bottom, according to Hills. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026

Shortly after her father, Jamie Spears, was removed as conservator of her estate, the pop star thanked her fans and acknowledged the #FreeBritney movement that drew attention to her wellbeing. —Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026

Peter Falk died in 2011 at 83 years old after battling Alzheimer's disease, a condition that made public a rift within his family as Catherine Falk fought for visitation rights while wife Shera Falk was appointed his conservator. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

Per The Catherine Falk Organization, in December 2008, Catherine filed paperwork to be made conservator of Peter. —Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

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

Rhymes for conservator

• servitor

Legal Definition

conservator

noun

con·​ser·​va·​tor kən-ˈsər-və-tər, ˈkän-sər-ˌvā- 

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