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

Regulatory agencies were designed to be independent guardians of the public interest.

From Salon

She is at once guardian angel and angel of death, watching over hallowed ground while carrying a tool of invasive modernity with her.

From The Wall Street Journal

If a student violates the ban, they must have a series of discussions with school authorities and their legal guardians.

From BBC

The researchers said children taking part in the study would need the consent of their parent or legal guardian, plus the agreement of their lead clinician and a multidisciplinary team.

From BBC

Just naming somebody as a “guardian” and leaving them some money is no security.

From MarketWatch