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

The three were issued citations and released to their parents or guardians, Ward said, and the motive is unknown at this time. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024

Like many parents or guardians with children who get involved in the juvenile justice system, Dempsey was liable for fees and costs related to his son’s case. —Claire Reid and Peter Breen, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Apr. 2024

The one-day event also commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Memorial Scrolls Trust, which serves as the guardian to more than 1,500 Czech Torahs that survived the Nazi occupation of the region and later the shuttering of synagogues under regimes that stifled the Jewish faith. —Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register, 17 Apr. 2024

Today, the chubby 6-month-old is the star of the wards where her de-facto guardian, Amal Abu Khatleh, 32, works as a pediatrician. —Erin McLaughlin, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024

However, crew members are not subjected to background checks if the minor is accompanied on set by their parent or guardian. —EW.com, 11 Apr. 2024

The savvy siblings must band together not only to dispose of the body (in a sequence with a solid self-aware joke at the expense of the 1991 film), but also to survive without cash or a guardian — and without disrupting their mother’s sanity. —Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024

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

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