Ward

biographical name

ˈwȯrd 

(Aaron) Montgomery 1843–1913 American merchant

Kids Definition

ward

1 of 4 noun

ˈwȯ(ə)rd 

1

: the action or process of guarding or of being under guard

especially : custody sense 1

2

a

: a division in a hospital

especially : a large room in a hospital where a number of patients stay

b

: a division (as a cell or block) of a prison

3

: an electoral or administrative division of a city

4

: a person (as a child) under the protection of a court or guardian

ward

2 of 4 verb

1

: to keep watch over : guard

2

: to turn aside : deflect

—usually used with off

ward off a cold

-ward

3 of 4 adjective suffix

wərd

variants also -wards

wərdz

1

: that moves, tends, faces, or is directed toward

windward

2

: that occurs or is located in the direction of

rearward

-ward

4 of 4 adverb suffix

variants or -wards

1

: in a (specified) direction

rearwards

afterward

2

: toward a (specified) point, position, or area

skyward

Etymology

Old English -weard (adjective suffix) "being or moving in the direction of"

Medical Definition

ward

noun

ˈwȯ(ə)rd 

: a division in a hospital

a maternity ward

especially : a large room in a hospital where a number of patients often requiring similar treatment are accommodated

a tuberculosis ward

Legal Definition

ward

noun

ˈwȯrd 

1

: a division of a city for representative, electoral, or administrative purposes

2

a

: a person who by reason of incapacity (as minority or incompetency) is under the control of a guardian

b

: a person who by reason of incapacity is under the protection of a court either directly or through a guardian appointed by the court

called also ward of the court

compare interdict

wardship noun