guardian

noun

guard·​ian ˈgär-dē-ən 

plural guardians

1

: someone or something that guards : custodian

The historical society serves as the guardian of the town's traditions.

2

: someone who has the care of the person or property of another

often, specifically : a person granted legal custody of a minor who is not the person's own biological child

The school sent a letter home to all parents and guardians.

3

: a superior of a Franciscan monastery

guardianship

ˈgär-dē-ən-ˌship 

noun

plural guardianships

Synonyms

• custodian
• guard
• keeper
• lookout
• minder
• picket
• sentinel
• sentry
• warden
• warder
• watch
• watcher
• watchman

Examples of guardian in a Sentence

After the death of her parents, her uncle was appointed as her legal guardian.

the state became his guardian when he was put into protective custody

Recent Examples on the Web

San Francisco, for instance, allows resident noncitizen parents and guardians to vote in school board elections, and some cities in Maryland and Vermont allow noncitizens to vote in municipal elections. —Miles Parks, NPR, 12 Apr. 2024

There are some rules: Student drivers would need a parent, guardian or insured adult to supervise the sessions. —Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2024

Seven separate lawsuits were filed in January on behalf of parents and guardians claiming multiple counts of negligence against school leadership. —Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024

School leaders and parents or guardians of a child with special needs might not always agree on the quality of the student's education. —Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024

Gad is approaching that hankering for new things with humor and heart, and in a way that finds middle ground for kids and their parents and guardians. —Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024

Custodial interference is when someone takes a minor from their lawful guardian. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024

Under Article 81, prospective guardians need only take a daylong course to get certified. —Jake Pearson, ProPublica, 20 Mar. 2024

Their parent or guardian gets referred to collections and can choose whether to pay the fee, but the juvenile still gets banned. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gardein, wardein — more at warden

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing guardian

• guardian angel

Kids Definition

guardian

noun

guard·​i·​an

ˈgärd-ē-ən

1

: one that guards : custodian

2

: one who legally has the care of a person or the property of another

guardianship

-ˌship

noun

Legal Definition

guardian

noun

guard·​ian ˈgär-dē-ən 

: one who has or is entitled or legally appointed to the care and management of the person or property of another compare committee, conservator, curator, receiver, tutor

— guardian ad litem \ -​ad-​ˈlī-​təm, -​äd-​ˈlē-​tem \

: a guardian appointed by a court to represent in a particular lawsuit the interests of a minor, a person not yet born, or a person judged incompetent

— guardian by nature

: natural guardian in this entry

— natural guardian

: a guardian by natural relationship having custody of the person but not the property of a minor

Note: Under common law the father is considered the natural guardian of a child until his death or incapacitation, whereupon the mother becomes the natural guardian. Many states have passed statutes giving both parents equal rights as guardians.

— statutory guardian

: a guardian appointed by statutory authority

— testamentary guardian

: a person named in a will to serve as a guardian

guardianship noun