steward
- a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.
- a person who has charge of the household of another, buying or obtaining food, directing the servants, etc.
- an employee who has charge of the table, wine, servants, etc., in a club, restaurant, or the like.
- a person who attends to the domestic concerns of persons on board a vessel, as in overseeing maids and waiters.
- 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.
- a flight attendant.
- a person appointed by an organization or group to supervise the affairs of that group at certain functions.
- U.S. Navy. a petty officer in charge of officer's quarters and mess.
- to act as steward of; manage.
- to act or serve as steward.
Origin of steward
Examples from the Web for steward
Contemporary Examples
If one claims to be the steward of a democratic transition, never does one respond to madness with more madness.
While onboard the train, guests can expect upscale amenities like multicourse dinners and 24-hour steward service.
“You have made yourself famous by rowing the boat,” a steward told her.
Government has a vital role in a crowded society, as a steward of common resources and public services.
Historical Examples
"Ask Ullmer to bring his betting sheet," the Steward said to an assistant.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
He then ordered the purser's steward to splice the main-brace.
Ned MyersJames Fenimore Cooper
Bill Swett did not make this voyage with us, the cook acting as steward.
Ned MyersJames Fenimore Cooper
Our steward was a Portuguese negro, of the most vicious and surly temper.
Ned MyersJames Fenimore Cooper
The steward had gone ashore, and there being no second-mate, I was all alone.
Ned MyersJames Fenimore Cooper
steward
- a person who administers the property, house, finances, etc, of another
- a person who manages the eating arrangements, staff, or service at a club, hotel, etc
- a person who attends to passengers on an aircraft, ship or train
- a mess attendant in a naval mess afloat or ashore
- a person who helps to supervise some event or proceedings in an official capacity
- short for shop steward
- to act or serve as a steward (of something)
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for steward
n.
Old English stiward, stigweard "house guardian," from stig "hall, pen" + weard "guard." Used after the Conquest as the equivalent of Old French seneschal (q.v.). Meaning "overseer of workmen" is attested from c.1300. The sense of "officer on a ship in charge of provisions and meals" is first recorded mid-15c.; extended to trains 1906. This was the title of a class of high officers of the state in early England and Scotland, hence meaning "one who manages affairs of an estate on behalf of his employer" (late 14c.).
The Scottish form is reflected in Stewart, name of the royal house, from Walter (the) Steward, who married (1315) Marjorie de Bruce, daughter of King Robert. The terminal -t is a Scottish form (late 14c.). Stuart is a French spelling, attested from 1429 and adopted by Mary, Queen of Scots.