guardian

1 a person or group that watches over someone or something the state became his guardian when he was put into protective custody Synonyms custodian, guard, keeper, lookout, minder, picket, sentinel, sentry, warden, warder, watch, watcher, watchmanRelated Words observer, patrol, spotter, surveillant, watchdog; bodyguard, convoy, defender, escort, honor guard; gatekeeper; hack [slang]

2 a person who takes care of a property sometimes for an absent owner the guardians of the summer estate awaited the return of the tycoon Synonyms caretaker, custodian, janitor, keeper, warden, watchmanRelated Words cocurator, curator; sexton, steward

3 someone that protects the editor defended his newspaper's unrelenting exposure of government corruption, arguing that it is journalism's role to act as a guardian of democracy Synonyms custodian, defender, guard, protector, guardian angel, protectionRelated Words bodyguard, champion; lookout, sentinel, sentry, warden, warder, watch, watchdog, watchman; conserver, harborer, keeper, preserver, saver

4 a person who has responsibility for the care of another when her parents died, her aunt became her legal guardian Synonyms carer, caretaker, caregiverRelated Words foster parent; babysitter, minder, nanny (also nannie), nurse, sitter; custodian, guard, keep, keeper, protector; attendant, chaperone (or chaperon), companionNear Antonyms charge, client, dependent, ward