stewardship

noun

stew·​ard·​ship ˈstü-ərd-ˌship 

ˈstyü-;

ˈst(y)u̇rd-

1

: the office, duties, and obligations of a steward

2

: the conducting, supervising, or managing of something

especially : the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care

stewardship of natural resources

Did you know?

Good Stewardship

When stewardship first appeared in English during the Middle Ages, it functioned as a job description, denoting the office of a steward, or manager of a large household. Over the centuries, its range of reference spread to the oversight of law courts, employee unions, college dining halls, Masonic lodges, and many other organizations. In recent years, the long-established "management" sense of stewardship has evolved a positive meaning, “careful and responsible management.” This sense is commonly found nowadays in contexts such as “stewardship of the environment, the family business,” etc. It also occasionally appears as an adjective in phrases such as “stewardship fundraising" (that is, fundraising aimed at building good relationships with donors in order to keep them loyal).

Synonyms

• administration
• care
• charge
• conduct
• control
• direction
• governance
• government
• guidance
• handling
• intendance
• management
• operation
• oversight
• presidency
• regulation
• running
• superintendence
• superintendency
• supervision

Examples of stewardship in a Sentence

generally the dean left the day-to-day stewardship of the college to the assistant dean

she believes that stewardship of the environment is everyone's responsibility

Recent Examples on the Web

Hoby says the biggest challenges facing Front Range land managers are high visitation and the impact of users who do not understand the principles of trail etiquette, courtesy and stewardship of the natural landscape. —John Meyer, The Denver Post, 15 July 2024

The whimsical installations help make important topics, such as coastal stewardship and naval history, a bit more approachable. —Katie Strasberg Rousso, Southern Living, 5 July 2024

Fury is committed to upholding the highest industry standards for corporate governance, environmental stewardship, community engagement and sustainable mining. —Miami Herald, 28 June 2024

While environmental stewardship is a primary concern, this coalition of producers is also making wine that comes from distinct places, with appellations, AVAs, and even vineyard sites listed on the box. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 23 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stewardship

noun

stew·​ard·​ship ˈst(y)ü-ərd-ˌship 

ˈst(y)u̇(-ə)rd-

1

: the office and duties of a steward

2

: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care

stewardship of our natural resources