steward

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noun stew·ard \ˈstü-ərd, ˈstyü-; ˈst(y)u̇rd\

Definition of steward

1 : one employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns (such as the supervision of servants, collection of rents, and keeping of accounts)
2 : shop steward
3 : a fiscal agent
4a : an employee on a ship, airplane, bus, or train who manages the provisioning of food and attends passengersb : one appointed to supervise the provision and distribution of food and drink in an institution
5 : one who actively directs affairs : manager

See steward defined for English-language learners

See steward defined for kids

Examples of steward in a Sentence

the steward of their investments
teaching our children to be good stewards of the land
the steward of the estate
The race stewards are reviewing the results.

Recent Examples of steward from the Web

In the historic neighborhood, founded as an independent village in 1837, its stewards view development, especially large scale projects, as strokes on a painting to be considered very carefully.

— john tuohy, Indianapolis Star, "Broad Ripple High School closing would change neighborhood", 28 June 2017
Nearby, a group celebrating a birthday summoned a suited steward to saber-open a bottle of champagne—as in with an actual sword—

— irina aleksander, GQ, "Inside Trump International Hotel, the Mecca of Trump-ism", 27 June 2017
Different stewards, who were manning the different sections, stood by monitoring their set of 25 partners.

— karie angell luc, chicagotribune.com, "Guinness World Record for largest game of catch now belongs to Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington", 19 June 2017
That duty requires board members to stay objective, unselfish, responsible, honest, trustworthy and efficient, and to act as stewards of public trust, according to Guidestar and other organizations that monitor nonprofits.

— andrew wolfson, The Courier-Journal, "University of Louisville could claim $20M in insurance to recover money depleted by foundation", 19 June 2017
No witnesses but the Navy stewards shuttling in and out with food and drinks.

— Washington Post, "Comey and Trump: 2 alpha males face off over dinner", 8 June 2017
Two Navy stewards waited on us, only entering the room to serve food and drinks.

— tina nguyen, The Hive, "James Comey’s Opening Testimony Reads Like a Political Fifty Shades of Grey", 7 June 2017
The testimony is the work of a veteran law-enforcement officer, with details that seem superfluous and literary -- the door by the grandfather clock in the Oval Office closing, two Navy stewards buzzing about during his dinner with the president.

— margaret talev, Bloomberg.com, "Comey Recounts Uneasy Meetings With Trump, Demands for Loyalty", 7 June 2017
As the longtime head of the Midwest Greek Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Iakovos was remembered by church leaders this week as a faithful steward and stable force who was attentive to the needs of its members.

— meredith colias, Post-Tribune, "Head of Chicago Greek Archdiocese remembered for common touch", 7 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'steward'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of steward

Middle English, from Old English stīweard, from stī, stig hall, sty + weard ward — more at sty, ward

NEW!

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Job Terms

factotum, milliner, ostler, scrivener, tinker, webster, wordsmith

steward

verb stew·ard

Definition of steward

transitive verb
: to act as a steward for : manage
intransitive verb
: to perform the duties of a steward

Examples of steward in a Sentence

will steward the city's library programs

Recent Examples of steward from the Web

Creatives Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan are stewarding the endeavor.

— Washington Post, "Universal’s ‘The Mummy’ kicks off push for new film universe", 7 June 2017
In the city's 1900 Building, Best worked the last two years as a technician with the Bureau of Development Services, stewarding construction plans through permitting.

— rob davis, OregonLive.com, "Rick Best: Army vet vowed not to stand on the sidelines", 1 June 2017
And at 50-1 is Sonneteer, a maiden, who is trained by Keith Desormeaux, who stewarded Exaggerator to second in last year's Derby and victory in the Preakness.

— john cherwa, courant.com, "As Many Angles As Horses In Kentucky Derby", 5 May 2017
Ms. Pollara had served as director of Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, LLC, and on the South Street Initiative, an effort to steward the development of the lower East River waterfront.

— colin moynihan, New York Times, "Municipal Art Society Abruptly Ousts Its President", 6 Jan. 2017

First Known Use of steward

1621

STEWARD Defined for English Language Learners

steward

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noun

Definition of steward for English Language Learners

: a person and especially a man whose job is to serve meals and take care of passengers on a train, airplane, or ship
: someone who protects or is responsible for money, property, etc.
: a person whose job is to manage the land and property of another person

STEWARD Defined for Kids

steward

play

noun stew·ard \ˈstü-ərd, ˈstyü-\

Definition of steward for Students

1 : a manager of a very large home, an estate, or an organization
2 : a person employed to manage the supply and distribution of food and look after the needs of passengers (as on an airplane or ship)