guardian

[gahr-dee-uhn]

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.

adjective

1. guarding; protecting.

   a guardian deity.

guardian

/ 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

adjective

1. protecting or safeguarding

Pronunciation Note

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

• guardianship noun
• guardianless adjective
• underguardian noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of guardian¹

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

Example Sentences

Saint Edgar of Alberta: patron saint of disciplined capital, guardian of dividends, protector of anyone smart enough to ignore cable news.

Read more on MarketWatch

The Norwegian Nobel committee members – the guardians of the world's most prestigious award – will announce on Friday who they will honour with the Nobel Peace Prize.

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Traditionally every woman has a 'wali', a male guardian who makes decisions on her behalf.

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"But these are not benevolent guardians of personal memory."

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She said that while she worked in public service throughout her career, her interactions with leaders in the private sector led her to believe that they would be “among the guardians of our democracy.”

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