guardian

noun

guard·​ian ˈgär-dē-ən 

plural guardians

1

: someone or something that guards : custodian

The historical society serves as the guardian of the town's traditions.

2

: someone who has the care of the person or property of another

often, specifically : a person granted legal custody of a minor who is not the person's own biological child

The school sent a letter home to all parents and guardians.

3

: a superior of a Franciscan monastery

guardianship

ˈgär-dē-ən-ˌship 

noun

plural guardianships

Synonyms

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

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

All told, the Space Force has about 8,600 military guardians and about 5,000 civilian guardians. —Jon Gertner, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2023

Parents don’t have to be Global Entry members for their kids to get it, but all kids under 18 must have their parent or legal guardian’s permission to apply for Global Entry. —Katie Seemann, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2023

Illinois at the time required people ages 18, 19 or 20 to have parent or guardian authorization. —Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2023

Attorney Martin Singer has been named the trustee of the sub-trust benefiting Garibaldi, the documents said, and Lisa Marie’s ex-husband, Michael Lockwood, will serve as guardian ad litem for the former couple’s twin daughters. —Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2023

Whereas other tribes believe owls are messengers and are a guardian spirit, per The Pueblo Chieftain. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2023

Combining adventure, a female character and sustainability issues, the film follows the youngest among the guardian clan in an island in danger by its climatic decline. —Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 24 Oct. 2023

Many guardians recklessly spent or embezzled their ward’s assets, while facing little or no consequences. —Shannon Toll, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2023

Most Syrian widows and wives of those missing are left vulnerable to losing their children to their husband’s male relatives – whom Jordanian and Syrian laws recognize as rightful guardians. —Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Oct. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English gardein, wardein — more at warden

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing guardian

• guardian angel

• guardian angel

Kids Definition

guardian

noun

guard·​i·​an

ˈgärd-ē-ən

1

: one that guards : custodian

2

: one who legally has the care of a person or the property of another

guardianship

-ˌship

noun

Legal Definition

guardian

noun

guard·​ian ˈgär-dē-ən 

: 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

guardianship noun