steward

[ stoo-erd, styoo- ]

noun

1. a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.
2. a person who has charge of the household of another, buying or obtaining food, directing the servants, etc.
3. an employee who has charge of the table, wine, servants, etc., in a club, restaurant, or the like.
4. a person who attends to the domestic concerns of persons on board a vessel, as in overseeing maids and waiters.
5. an employee on a ship, train, or bus who waits on and is responsible for the comfort of passengers, takes orders for or distributes food, etc.
6. a flight attendant.
7. a person appointed by an organization or group to supervise the affairs of that group at certain functions.
8. U.S. Navy. a petty officer in charge of officer's quarters and mess.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as steward of; manage.

verb (used without object)

1. to act or serve as steward.

steward

/ ˈstjʊəd /

noun

1. a person who administers the property, house, finances, etc, of another
2. a person who manages the eating arrangements, staff, or service at a club, hotel, etc
3. a person who attends to passengers on an aircraft, ship or train
4. a mess attendant in a naval mess afloat or ashore
5. a person who helps to supervise some event or proceedings in an official capacity
6. See shop steward
   short for shop steward

verb

1. to act or serve as a steward (of something)

Derived Forms

• ˈstewardˌship, noun

Other Words From

• steward·ship noun
• under·steward noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of steward¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English stīweard, stigweard, equivalent to stig- (sense uncertain; probably “house, hall”; sty ¹ ) + weard ward ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of steward¹

Old English stigweard, from stig hall (see sty ) + weard ward

Example Sentences

In the United States, such experiments are typically funded by NIH, the nation’s primary steward for biomedical research.

From Washington Post

The number-one thing people can do to protect public land and keep trails open is to be good stewards by staying on the trail.

From Outside Online

He encourages youth of color to become stewards of the environment and “outdoor leaders,” by helping them feel as comfortable on hiking trails and in state parks and preserves as they are in their neighborhood.

From Eater

Potentially offensive or not, Hofstede really believes in the power of culture — so much so that he remains the steward of a massive research project begun more than 50 years ago by his late father.

From Freakonomics

He also feels that the job of a rancher is to be a steward of the land, not just someone who manages cattle.

From Ozy

If one claims to be the steward of a democratic transition, never does one respond to madness with more madness.

From The Daily Beast

And the way he wanted to be, to some extent anyway, an environmental steward.

From The Daily Beast

Bill Clinton seems to play a similar role for liberals—a recent president they can look to as a successful economic steward.

From The Daily Beast

While onboard the train, guests can expect upscale amenities like multicourse dinners and 24-hour steward service.

From The Daily Beast

“You have made yourself famous by rowing the boat,” a steward told her.

From The Daily Beast

"Give us a table upstairs alone," said Nigel to the head-steward, putting something into his hand.

From Project Gutenberg

The hospital is in charge of a steward appointed by the governor, and is administered by the Order of St. Francis.

From Project Gutenberg

The steward who has charge of it is appointed by the governor, and religious of the Order of St. Francis conduct it.

From Project Gutenberg

The steward is a fisherman—a fisherman being very useful as a weather prophet.

From Project Gutenberg

The steward, a young mulatto, had contracted the bad habit of indulging too much in liquor.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• flight attendant
• hostess
• stewardess
• waiter
• waitress