guardian

noun guard·ian \ ˈgär-dē-ən \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: guardian in a Sentence

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

Since October 2017, more than 700 children were taken away from their undocumented guardians, including more than 100 children under the age of four.

— refinery29.com, "1,500 Migrant Children Remain Missing After Federal Agencies Lost Track Of Them," 25 May 2018
Acting as a guardian for not only people but also the planet is a concern that’s inextricably woven into the fabric of this new generation of leaders.

— kerry hannon, New York Times, "Visionaries With the Courage to Change the World," 24 May 2018
The department is in the process of training guardians and sentinels for the upcoming school year.

— michael williams, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Backpacks banned at Polk schools during last week of class, district says," 21 May 2018
An Ohio man suspected of abandoning his 1-year-old son naked for hours in the central Oregon woods is also accused of taking the boy from his legal guardian in West Virginia, authorities say.

— everton bailey jr., OregonLive.com, "Dad accused of abandoning baby in Oregon woods suspected of taking child from grandma," 16 May 2018
For Kentrell Johnson, 13, being with other kids with sickle cell disease is the best part of camp, said Princess Patterson, his guardian.

— page leggett, charlotteobserver, "Victory Junction delivers safe, adventurous fun for campers | Charlotte Observer," 10 May 2018
Horse sues former guardian for neglect, seeks $100,000 in damages.

— Fox News, "FOX NEWS FIRST: Fallout from Giuliani's interview on 'Hannity'; Trump, Pence to speak at NRA's annual meeting," 4 May 2018
They were identified and subsequently released to their guardians.

— andy attina / cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Man tries stealing suitcase filled with Red Bull: South Euclid Police Blotter," 2 May 2018
Ross used the fraudulent Square account to charge parents and guardians for childcare services at the YWCA center, according to her plea agreement.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Former YWCA childcare director accused of stealing nearly $200,000 from the Birmingham nonprofit," 26 Feb. 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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