guardian

American  

[gahr-dee-uhn] / ˈgɑr di ən /

noun

guardians plural

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

Derived Forms

• guardianship
  noun
• underguardian
  noun
• guardianless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• guardians
  plural

Etymology

Origin of guardian

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

Explanation

A guardian is a keeper or protector who looks after the welfare of other people or their property. In legal language, guardian is typically used as an alternative to "parent." Guardians are often adults who can make legal decisions for children who are not their own. Sometimes they take care of them, too, just like a parent would. A guardian angel is a figure that some people believe (either seriously or jokingly) watches over them and protects them. The term is also used to describe people who believe they are "guarding" something important, like morality, culture, or fashion.

Example Sentences

When it comes to caregivers who also work full-time, 57% are men, according to a 2025 survey by Guardian, an insurance company.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026

That may be in part because more women are leaving the workforce to take on caregiving responsibilities, according to Guardian.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026

In November, assistant coach Anthony Barry told the Guardian, external the modern game needed a new approach.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

The Observer, The Guardian and The Sunday Telegraph newspapers all reported Starmer was preparing to resign as soon as Monday.

From Barron's • Jun. 21, 2026

Guardian, though, is constantly telling me to hurry while also reminding me that I cannot forget my other mission tasks, like collecting samples from the terrain.

From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga