adjective

1. conserving or tending to conserve; preservative
2. tending to preserve established traditions or institutions and to resist or oppose any changes in these conservative politics, conservative art
3. of or characteristic of a conservative
4. designating or of the major political party of Great Britain or the similar one in Canada that is characterized by conservative positions on social and economic issues
5. ☆ moderate; cautious; safe a conservative estimate
6. Judaism designating or of a movement that accepts traditional forms and religious ritual that have been adapted to modern life with moderation and flexibility

Etymology: OFr conservatif < LL conservativus

noun

1. Archaic a preservative
2. a conservative person
3. a member of the Conservative Party of Great Britain or of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada