steward

1 of 2

noun

stew·​ard ˈstü-ərd 

ˈstyü-;

ˈst(y)u̇rd

1

: one employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns (such as the supervision of servants, collection of rents, and keeping of accounts)

2

: shop steward

3

: a fiscal agent

4

a

: an employee on a ship, airplane, bus, or train who manages the provisioning of food and attends passengers

b

: one appointed to supervise the provision and distribution of food and drink in an institution

5

: one who actively directs affairs : manager

steward

2 of 2

verb

stewarded; stewarding; stewards

transitive verb

: to act as a steward for : manage

intransitive verb

: to perform the duties of a steward

Synonyms

Noun

• daily [British]
• domestic
• flunky
• flunkey
• flunkie
• lackey
• menial
• retainer
• servant

Verb

• administer
• administrate
• carry on
• conduct
• control
• direct
• govern
• guide
• handle
• keep
• manage
• operate
• overlook
• oversee
• preside (over)
• regulate
• run
• superintend
• supervise
• tend

Examples of steward in a Sentence

Noun

the steward of their investments

teaching our children to be good stewards of the land

the steward of the estate

The race stewards are reviewing the results.

Verb

will steward the city's library programs

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The stewards of the SS United States are out of time, and pointing fingers. —Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 12 Sep. 2024

Long before the advent of Western cinema, Native Americans were stewards of these lands, and their knowledge of the terrain and cattle handling was fundamental to the survival and success of ranching. —Essence, 2 Sep. 2024

Verb

The data holding entities [such as hospitals] under HIPAA have an obligation to steward the information that's in their control. —Seth Joseph, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024

The state is pushing for regenerative tourism, where travelers help steward the islands and natural resources are properly managed and protected. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 1 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English stīweard, from stī, stig hall, sty + weard ward — more at sty, ward

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1621, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing steward

• shop steward
• wine steward

Kids Definition

steward

noun

stew·​ard

ˈst(y)ü-ərd,

ˈst(y)u̇(-ə)rd

1

: a manager of a large home, estate, or organization

2

: a person employed to manage the supply and distribution of food and attend the needs of passengers (as on a train, airplane, or ship)

Etymology

Noun

Old English stīweard, literally, "keeper of the hall, keeper of the sty," from stī "hall, sty" and weard "ward, guard, keeper"

Legal Definition

steward

noun

stew·​ard

: shop steward