warden

noun

war·​den ˈwȯr-dᵊn How to pronounce warden (audio)
1
: one having care or charge of something : guardian, keeper
2
b
: the governor of a town, district, or fortress
c
: a member of the governing body of a guild
3
a
: an official charged with special supervisory duties or with the enforcement of specified laws or regulations
game warden
air raid warden
b
: an official in charge of the operation of a prison
c
: any of various British officials having designated administrative functions
warden of the mint
4
a
: one of two ranking lay officers of an Episcopal parish
b
: any of various British college officials whose duties range from the administration of academic matters to the supervision of student discipline

Examples of warden in a Sentence

the warden of the cemetery in his role as warden of the school, a principal must provide a safe environment for the students
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prosecutors say Allen actually confessed over 60 times to the killings while in prison, to his wife, his mother, family members, the prison warden, the psychologist who treated him in prison, other prison employees and other inmates. Zoe Sottile, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024 Her attorneys have filed a motion accusing the prison warden of disregarding a lawful order by not releasing her yet. Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2024 Alcatraz’ warden, James Aloysius Johnston, wasn't as easily swayed as those prison officials Capone had previously encountered. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 State prison warden banned braids, cornrows and dreadlocks. Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for warden 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wardein, from Anglo-French wardein, gardein, from warder to guard

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of warden was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near warden

Cite this Entry

“Warden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warden. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

warden

noun
war·​den ˈwȯrd-ᵊn How to pronounce warden (audio)
1
: one who has charge or care of something : guardian, keeper
2
: the governor of a town, district, or fortress
3
: an official charged with special duties or with the enforcement of specified laws or regulations
game warden
4
: an official in charge of a prison
5
a
: a lay officer of an Episcopal parish
b
: any of various British college officials

Legal Definition

warden

noun
war·​den
1
: an official charged with special supervisory duties or with the enforcement of specified laws or regulations
a game warden
2
: an official in charge of the operation of a prison
Etymology

Anglo-French wardein, gardein guardian, from warder, garder to guard, protect

More from Merriam-Webster on warden

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