steward

American  

[stoo-erd, styoo-] / ˈstu ərd, ˈstyu- /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to act as steward of; manage.

verb (used without object)

1. to act or serve as steward.

steward British  

/ 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. short for shop steward

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• stewardship noun
• understeward noun

Etymology

Origin of steward

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

Example Sentences

"They come here from Italy, Spain, Bosnia, Slovenia and even the UK," says Lucija Vrkljan, who is working as a steward at the ice rink.

From BBC

Indigenous people are considered important stewards of biodiversity and rainforest protection in areas such as the Amazon, which is crucial in the fight against the climate crisis.

From Barron's

“I am confident they will serve as responsible stewards of our city’s housing stock, using facts and data to reach the right decision,” Adams said of his appointed board members.

From The Wall Street Journal

His team of 90 chefs, stewards and managers know that only one person gets to call out orders in his kitchen.

From The Wall Street Journal

“China and the international community should respect traditional knowledge and local communities to make them ideal stewards to protect the Tibetan plateau.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• flight attendant
• hostess
• stewardess
• waiter
• waitress