guardian

noun guard·ian \ ˈgär-dē-ən \

Definition of guardian

1 :one that guards :custodian

2 :a superior of a Franciscan monastery

3 :one who has the care of the person or property of another

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guardianship

play \ˈgär-dē-ən-ˌship\ noun

See guardian defined for English-language learners

See guardian defined for kids

Examples of guardian in a Sentence

After the death of her parents, her uncle was appointed as her legal guardian.
the state became his guardian when he was put into protective custody

Recent Examples of guardian from the Web

Silvio De Sousa, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound senior power forward from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., has committed to the Kansas men’s basketball team, his guardian Fenny Falmagne told The Star on Wednesday.

— gary bedore, kansascity, "KU hoops lands top-25 recruit in forward Silvio De Sousa," 30 Aug. 2017
Have the police forgotten their role as guardians of American liberty?

— david french, National Review, "Antifa Just Showed Its True Colors. Again.," 28 Aug. 2017
All of the children auditioning were made aware of the fictional aspect of the exercise and were tended to at all times by relatives or guardians from NGOs. . . .

— vanity fair, HWD, "Vanity Fair Responds to Angelina Jolie’s Comments Related to Its September Cover Story," 3 Aug. 2017
In the same ruling, Boyle appointed Tarlton to represent McCollum as a guardian ad-litem because of concerns about his competency.

— Washington Post, "Advocate: Fees, loans threaten pardoned brothers’ livelihood," 26 July 2017
Women cannot drive, travel abroad or undergo some medical treatment without permission from a male guardian.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Girls in Saudi Arabia Will Can Soon Take Gym Class," 13 July 2017
Pressed by Victoria Butler-Cole, a lawyer for the infant’s appointed guardian, the neurologist also acknowledged that the disease had no cure.

— dan bilefsky, New York Times, "U.K. Court Weighs Last-Ditch Plea by Parents of Terminally Ill Baby," 13 July 2017
Rose also said the teens and their belongings were eventually released to their guardians with a warning from the Park Police.

— veronica hilbring, Essence.com, "Three Black Teens Were Handcuffed For Selling Water On The National Mall. Now, This Councilman Is Speaking Out," 26 June 2017
Now, a new study suggests that the smooth guardian frog of Borneo (Limnonectes palavanensis) is an exception to that rule.

— karl gruber, Science | AAAS, "These female frogs are the first of their kind to croon to their guys," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'guardian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of guardian

Middle English gardein, wardein — more at warden

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

guardian Synonyms

Synonyms

custodian, guard, keeper, lookout, minder, picket, sentinel, sentry, warden, warder, watch, watcher, watchman

Related Words

observer, patrol, spotter, surveillant, watchdog; bodyguard, convoy, defender, escort, honor guard; gatekeeper; hack [slang]

Near Antonyms

charge, client, dependent, ward

GUARDIAN Defined for English Language Learners

guardian

noun

Definition of guardian for English Language Learners

: someone or something that watches or protects something
law : someone who takes care of another person or of another person's property

GUARDIAN Defined for Kids

guardian

noun guard·ian \ ˈgär-dē-ən \

Definition of guardian for Students

1 :a person who guards or looks after something :custodian

2 :a person who legally has the care of another person or of another person's property

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guardianship

\-ˌship\ noun

Law Dictionary

guardian

noun guard·ian \ ˈgär-dē-ən \

legal Definition of guardian

:one who has or is entitled or legally appointed to the care and management of the person or property of another — compare committee, conservator, curator, receiver, tutor

— guardian ad litem \-ad-ˈlī-təm, -äd-ˈlē-tem\

:a guardian appointed by a court to represent in a particular lawsuit the interests of a minor, a person not yet born, or a person judged incompetent

— guardian by nature

:natural guardian in this entry

— natural guardian

:a guardian by natural relationship having custody of the person but not the property of a minor

Note: Under common law the father is considered the natural guardian of a child until his death or incapacitation, whereupon the mother becomes the natural guardian. Many states have passed statutes giving both parents equal rights as guardians.

— statutory guardian

:a guardian appointed by statutory authority

— testamentary guardian

:a person named in a will to serve as a guardian

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