warden

noun

war·​den ˈwȯr-dᵊn 

1

: one having care or charge of something : guardian, keeper

2

a

: regent sense 2

b

: the governor of a town, district, or fortress

c

: a member of the governing body of a guild

3

a

: an official charged with special supervisory duties or with the enforcement of specified laws or regulations

game warden

air raid warden

b

: an official in charge of the operation of a prison

c

: any of various British officials having designated administrative functions

warden of the mint

4

a

: one of two ranking lay officers of an Episcopal parish

b

: any of various British college officials whose duties range from the administration of academic matters to the supervision of student discipline

Synonyms of warden

• custodian
• guardian
• guard
• keeper
• warder

Examples of warden in a Sentence

the warden of the cemetery

in his role as warden of the school, a principal must provide a safe environment for the students

Recent Examples on the Web

When Landor couldn’t immediately meet the warden’s demand for court documentation of his religious beliefs, he was handcuffed to a chair while his dreadlocks were shaved off. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025

Hall, who began her career as a correctional officer at FPC Bryan in 1994 and has been its warden since 2023, did not respond to requests for comment. —Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 8 Nov. 2025

The new warden is as looming a presence in this episode as Frank Moses is; and just as Lennie James gives his scenes an entertaining pop, so Edie Falco makes every one of her moments count. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2025

The warden might cut off his mail. —John H. Richardson, Air Mail, 1 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wardein, from Anglo-French wardein, gardein, from warder to guard

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing warden

• dog warden
• game warden
• traffic warden

Rhymes for warden

• cordon
• churchwarden

Kids Definition

warden

noun

war·​den ˈwȯrd-ᵊn 

1

: one who has charge or care of something : guardian, keeper

2

: the governor of a town, district, or fortress

3

: an official charged with special duties or with the enforcement of specified laws or regulations

game warden

4

: an official in charge of a prison

5

a

: a lay officer of an Episcopal parish

b

: any of various British college officials

Legal Definition

warden

noun

war·​den

1

: an official charged with special supervisory duties or with the enforcement of specified laws or regulations

a game warden

2

: an official in charge of the operation of a prison

Etymology

Anglo-French wardein, gardein guardian, from warder, garder to guard, protect