stewardship

[stoo-erd-ship, styoo-]

noun

1. the position and duties of a steward, a person who acts as the surrogate of another or others, especially by managing property, financial affairs, an estate, etc.

2. the responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving.

   New regulatory changes will result in better stewardship of lands that are crucial for open space and wildlife habitat.

Other Word Forms

• understewardship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stewardship¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; steward + -ship

Example Sentences

Portsmouth were on the brink of bankruptcy when he bought them in 1999 before being revived under his stewardship in a pattern which would earn him a reputation as football's 'Mr Fixit'.

From BBC

It is a unique grove, according to Blom, director of stewardship and restoration.

From Los Angeles Times

Although it returned, under new stewardship, it's a smaller, shorter festival, with fewer films.

From BBC

Today, this act of good government stewardship is disparaged, forgotten or ignored so Congress can stage low-brow comedy.

From Salon

We were no longer simple and primitive, in desperate need of the civilizing stewardship of white Christian slave owners.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• administration 
• care 
• control 
• governance 
• government 
• handling 
• operation 
• oversight 
• supervision