guardian

American  

[gahr-dee-uhn] / ˈgɑr di ən /

noun

1. a person who guards, protects, or preserves.

   Synonyms:

   defender, protector

2. Law. a person who is entrusted by law with the care of the person, property, or both, of someone else, such as a minor or someone legally incapable of managing their affairs.

3. the superior of a Franciscan convent.

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adjective

1. guarding; protecting.

   a guardian deity.

guardian British  

/ ˈɡɑːdɪən /

noun

1. one who looks after, protects, or defends

   the guardian of public morals

2. 1. law someone legally appointed to manage the affairs of a person incapable of acting for himself, as a minor or person of unsound mind

   2. social welfare (in England) a local authority, or person accepted by it, named under the Mental Health Act 1983 as having the powers to require a mentally disordered person to live at a specified place, attend for treatment, and be accessible to a doctor or social worker

3. (often capital) (in England) another word for custos

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adjective

1. protecting or safeguarding

Pronunciation

Guardian is occasionally pronounced with two syllables and with stress on the final syllable: . This pronunciation is now most characteristic of older, less educated speakers.

Other Word Forms

• guardianless adjective
• guardianship noun
• underguardian noun

Etymology

Origin of guardian

First recorded in 1375–1425; from late Middle English gardein, from Anglo-French. See warden

Example Sentences

Artificial intelligence was supposed to be the stock market’s guardian angel, but this past week, investors were grappling with the possibility that it has become Frankenstein’s monster.

From Barron's

Artificial intelligence was supposed to be the stock market’s guardian angel, but this past week, investors were grappling with the possibility that it has become Frankenstein’s monster.

From Barron's

Its isolation is striking, a misplaced guardian island.

From Los Angeles Times

He will read another letter from Etta declaring that Alex can continue to do community service at Shady Glen and another from the boy’s aunt and uncle, petitioning to remain his guardians.

From Literature

A little-known and specialized type of accountant serves as a behind-the-scenes guardian for musicians and other creative types in the complex field of royalty accounting.

From The Wall Street Journal