guardian

noun guard·ian \ ˈgär-dē-ən \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

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

But some experts were concerned that a viewer who may be in a similar situation as Hannah, who has suicidal ideation, may feel discouraged by the show and shy away from talking to a parent, guardian, or counselor.

— carolyn l. todd, SELF, "Here’s What 7 Mental Health Experts Really Think About ‘13 Reasons Why’," 9 May 2018
The two-member team will each receive a $5,000 U.S. Savings Bond, and an all-expense paid trip for themselves, their parents/guardians, teachers and mentors to Washington, D.C. for an awards weekend, June 6-9.

— adrianne richardson, miamiherald, "AT&T employees help refresh Liberty City Elementary School | Miami Herald," 8 May 2018
If any minor children are depicted in the photograph, the Contestant must be the parent or legal guardian of any such minors Each Contestant needs to submit a throwback photo depicting their own family.

— Indianapolis Star, "Throwback Family Photo Contest," 7 May 2018
The commission was formed as part of a response to FBI indictments that allege shoe company representatives have steered basketball recruits to play for certain schools by paying players, players’ family members and/or guardians.

— gary bedore, kansascity, "Payments to prep players have been 'going on since the early days' Pollard says | The Kansas City Star," 26 Apr. 2018
That concept enables family members, guardians or police to ask judges to use a new gun violence restraining order to temporarily strip gun rights from people who show warning signs of violence.

— andrew welsh-huggins, The Seattle Times, "Ohio’s governor signs order to tighten gun background checks," 23 Apr. 2018
That concept enables family members, guardians or police to ask judges to use a new gun violence restraining order to temporarily strip gun rights from people who show warning signs of violence.

— Washington Post, "Ohio’s governor signs order to tighten gun background checks," 23 Apr. 2018
Wissahickon school officials told organizers that students can’t leave their campus for the Philadelphia protest without a note from a parent or guardian, and Cheltenham leaders have taken a similar stance.

— kathy boccella, Philly.com, "Cheltenham HS stresses unity during gun protest walkout on Columbine anniversary," 18 Apr. 2018
This is an individual investment plan typically for parents, grandparents, or guardians, interested in growing a sum of money, tax-free, to use to pay for their kids' post-secondary education.

— lincoln anthony blades, Teen Vogue, "Investing 101: What You Should Know Before Investing Your Money," 11 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

guardian Synonyms

Synonyms

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

bodyguard, convoy, defender, escort, honor guard;

gatekeeper;

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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