ward

verb

warded; warding; wards

transitive verb

1

: to keep watch over : guard

2

: to turn aside (something threatening) : deflect

—usually used with off

ward off a blow

trying to ward off a cold

Synonyms of ward

• protect
• defend
• guard
• safeguard
• shield

Examples of ward in a Sentence

vowed that he would take whatever measures were necessary to ward the nation's people

Recent Examples on the Web

Try candles or sprays scented with citronella, lemon, or vanilla to ward them off. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026

To ward pests and disease, the gardening company recommends using organic sprays or Neem oil and regularly checking your plants for signs of infestation or illness. —McClatchy, Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026

Given how locker room dysfunction had sabotaged the 2024-25 campaign, the club valued that latter factor enormously in deciding to promote Foote — and ward him off from joining Rick Tocchet’s staff in Philadelphia. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026

The grackles seek safety in numbers, and often choose to roost in suburban or urban areas with heavy foot traffic in order to ward of predators. —Sara Diggins, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English weardian & Anglo-French warder, garder, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wartēn to watch, Old Norse vartha to guard, Old English weard ward

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ward

• ward heeler
• ward off
• watch and ward

Rhymes for ward

• blurred
• board
• bored
• burd
• chord
• cord
• corde
• cored
• curd
• curred
• fjord
• floored

Kids Definition

ward

1 of 4 noun

ˈwȯ(ə)rd 

1

: the action or process of guarding or of being under guard

especially : custody sense 1

2

a

: a division in a hospital

especially : a large room in a hospital where a number of patients stay

b

: a division (as a cell or block) of a prison

3

: an electoral or administrative division of a city

4

: a person (as a child) under the protection of a court or guardian

ward

2 of 4 verb

1

: to keep watch over : guard

2

: to turn aside : deflect

—usually used with off

ward off a cold

-ward

3 of 4 adjective suffix

wərd

variants also -wards

wərdz

1

: that moves, tends, faces, or is directed toward

windward

2

: that occurs or is located in the direction of

rearward

-ward

4 of 4 adverb suffix

variants or -wards

1

: in a (specified) direction

rearwards

afterward

2

: toward a (specified) point, position, or area

skyward

Etymology

Old English -weard (adjective suffix) "being or moving in the direction of"

Medical Definition

ward

noun

ˈwȯ(ə)rd 

: a division in a hospital

a maternity ward

especially : a large room in a hospital where a number of patients often requiring similar treatment are accommodated

a tuberculosis ward

Legal Definition

ward

noun

ˈwȯrd 

1

: a division of a city for representative, electoral, or administrative purposes

2

a

: a person who by reason of incapacity (as minority or incompetency) is under the control of a guardian

b

: a person who by reason of incapacity is under the protection of a court either directly or through a guardian appointed by the court

called also ward of the court

compare interdict

wardship noun