guardian

noun

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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

Other Words from guardian Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about guardian

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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 on the Web The action came after one of his guardians became concerned for his safety. — San Antonio Express-News, "November 7, 2019," 7 Nov. 2019 Thank you for being my guardians on this earth and even more so now. — Alaa Elassar, CNN, "Julianne Hough mourns the death of her two dogs in a touching Instagram tribute," 12 Oct. 2019 They often are sent away by their families for Quranic training but then can be turned out into the streets by their new guardians to beg to earn their keep. — Sam Olukoya, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Hundreds of boys, men freed from torture building in Nigeria," 27 Sep. 2019 They often are sent away by their families for Quranic training but then can be turned out into the streets by their new guardians to beg to earn their keep. — NBC News, "Hundreds of boys, men freed from torture building in Nigeria," 27 Sep. 2019 Thank God for Eddy, my guardian angel.’The Broncos' late drive resulted in just the second touchdown the Bears defense has allowed in two games. — Joel Boyd, chicagotribune.com, "College football Week 3 wrap-up: Which team self-destructed the worst? Why are Florida fans mad at Brian Griese? And the Heisman contender in Oklahoma who isn’t named Jalen Hurts.," 16 Sep. 2019 For his part, Michael regards his new guardian as a dinosaur, hopelessly ignorant of anything that matters, like tennis shoes or selfies. — Ron Charles Critic, Washington Post, "Emma Donoghue’s ‘Akin’ sends an odd couple to France," 10 Sep. 2019 The movie just floated there, to the indifference of its guardians and the silence of an unreachable world. — Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, "James Gray’s Journey from the Outer Boroughs to Outer Space," 9 Sep. 2019 Fierle had been overseeing the ward’s care and assets since August 2017 and would remain her guardian until Aug. 15, 2018. — Monivette Cordeiro, orlandosentinel.com, "Investigations of Rebecca Fierle reveal new details of ex-guardian’s use of DNRs, handling of wards’ finances," 17 Aug. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

12 Nov 2019

Time Traveler for guardian

The first known use of guardian was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for guardian

guardian

noun

English Language Learners Definition of guardian

: someone or something that watches or protects something

law : someone who takes care of another person or of another person's property

See the full definition for guardian in the English Language Learners Dictionary

guardian

noun

guard·ian | \ ˈgär-dē-ən

Kids Definition of guardian

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

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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