warden

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noun war·den \ ˈwȯr-dᵊn \

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

Denton County game warden Josh Bulger helps a young girl onto a boat during a water rescue from an apartment complex in Richmond Monday.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "Four generations in one water rescue, courtesy of this Denton County game warden," 29 Aug. 2017
Over there is the former commissioner, and here are a few wardens and bureau chiefs.

— tim rohan, SI.com, "As Anthem Protests Expand, Fans Speak Out Strongly, Pro and Con," 28 Aug. 2017
The officer said the incident would be forwarded to the animal warden regarding any charges.

— john benson, cleveland.com, "Aggressive dog bites man walking on sidewalk: Broadview Heights Police Blotter," 24 Aug. 2017
Norwood also was questioned about El Dorado Correctional Facility warden James Heimgartner’s leaving the Kansas prison for another job within the agency.

— hunter woodall, kansascity, "As prison staff shortage worsens, Kansas lawmakers question corrections chief," 3 Aug. 2017
To add to the surreal experience, the prison warden greeted them and invited Mac Mechan and his friend into the prison for lunch.

— christina hall, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit '67: Guardsman remembers deployment to riot duty in city he loved," 23 July 2017
The nine witnesses included rescuers and Banff park service wardens.

— craig r. mccoy / staff writer, Philly.com, "Horror on the mountain," 12 July 2017
Alloway is a former magisterial district judge who met Wetzel when Wetzel was warden of Franklin County Jail.

— john baer, Philly.com, "Baer: Look! There's something good in the legislature," 3 July 2017
WFAA.com and other Dallas-Fort Worth television stations carried the tweet of a Texas game warden.

— vince langford, star-telegram, "Report: Lewisville Lake not shark-infested, but ‘Jaws’ is a good 4th of July movie," 2 July 2017

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

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warden Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

observer, patrol, spotter, surveillant, watchdog; bodyguard, convoy, defender, escort, honor guard; gatekeeper; hack [slang]

WARDEN Defined for English Language Learners

warden

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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

play

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

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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 Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of warden for English Language Learners

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