warden

noun war·den \ ˈwȯr-dᵊn \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of warden

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

2 a : regent 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

See warden defined for English-language learners

See warden defined for kids

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 of warden from the Web

The warden of San Quentin selects the chemical, and nothing in the regulations requires prison officials to reveal which chemical is used, the suit said.

— maura dolan, latimes.com, "California news media sue state to make public all portions of executions," 11 Apr. 2018
As Nate beats information out of mountain meth dealers, Pickett focuses on the ranch, the missing warden and the disappeared tourist.

— robert anglen, azcentral, "C.J. Box delivers slow-burn environmental thriller in new Joe Pickett mystery," 23 Mar. 2018
The performance shows the rehabilitative side of prison, said warden James McKinney.

— aimee breaux, USA TODAY, "Iowa prison choir to be part of NY opera performance," 23 Mar. 2018
The appeals court ordered the state to provide affidavits from those who will be involved in Thursday's execution to guarantee the IV procedure agreement, and the state provided one from the prison's warden.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Rumor of Mountain Brook High School threat untrue, police say," 22 Feb. 2018
Among the leaders on South Friendswood Drive early Wednesday morning were Reverend Geoffrey C. Gwynne of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and Peter Gilmour, junior warden.

— fernando alfonso iii, Houston Chronicle, "Friendswood church takes Ash Wednesday to the streets," 14 Feb. 2018
If the situation is dangerous, Mr. Mullen said to call a game warden.

— tawnell d. hobbs, WSJ, "Officials Warn of Health Hazards in the Wake of Harvey," 3 Sep. 2017
The film follows Philip (Sam Claflin), who believes his cousin Rachel (Rachel Weisz) had something to do with the death of her husband, who was Philip's warden.

— julie kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Watch Rachel Weisz Screw with Sam Claflin's Mind in the 'My Cousin Rachel' Trailer," 21 Mar. 2017
The warden talks directly to you as potential investors.

— hugh hunter, Philly.com, "Arden's 'V to X' is a captivating, terrifying look at prison life," 1 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of warden

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

warden Synonyms

Synonyms

custodian, guard, guardian, keeper, lookout, minder, picket, sentinel, sentry, warder, watch, watcher, watchman;

bodyguard, convoy, defender, escort, honor guard;

gatekeeper;

WARDEN Defined for English Language Learners

warden

noun

Definition of warden for English Language Learners

: a person who is in charge of or takes care of something
: an official who is in charge of a prison
: any one of various officials at a British college

WARDEN Defined for Kids

warden

noun war·den \ ˈwȯr-dᵊn \

Definition of warden for Students

1 : a person who sees that certain laws are followed

game warden

2 : the chief official of a prison

Law Dictionary

warden

noun war·den

legal Definition of warden

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

Origin and Etymology of warden

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

Learn More about warden

See words that rhyme with warden Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for warden Spanish Central: Translation of warden Nglish: Translation of warden for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of warden for Arabic speakers

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warden

Definition of warden

Examples of warden in a Sentence

Recent Examples of warden from the Web

Origin and Etymology of warden

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WARDEN Defined for English Language Learners

warden

Definition of warden for English Language Learners

WARDEN Defined for Kids

warden

Definition of warden for Students

Law Dictionary

warden

legal Definition of warden

Origin and Etymology of warden

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