steward

[ stoo-erd, styoo- ]

/ ˈstu ərd, ˈstyu- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR steward ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

verb (used with object)

to act as steward of; manage.

verb (used without object)

to act or serve as steward.

Nearby words

stevia, stevin, stevinus, stew, stew in one's own juice, steward, stewardess, stewardship, stewart, stewart island, stewart, james

Origin of steward

before 900; Middle English; Old English stīweard, stigweard, equivalent to stig- (sense uncertain; probably “house, hall”; see sty¹) + weard ward2

Related forms

stew·ard·ship, nounun·der·stew·ard, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for steward

If one claims to be the steward of a democratic transition, never does one respond to madness with more madness.
The Criminal Folly of the Egyptian Armed Forces|Bernard-Henri Lévy|August 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
While onboard the train, guests can expect upscale amenities like multicourse dinners and 24-hour steward service.
Napa Valley Wine Train, Hiram Bingham, More Incredible Train Journeys|Leigh Crandall|April 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“You have made yourself famous by rowing the boat,” a steward told her.
The Titanic’s Haute Heroine: The Countess of Rothes|Elizabeth Kaye|April 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Government has a vital role in a crowded society, as a steward of common resources and public services.
Manifesto for a New Politics|Philip K. Howard|September 26, 2010|DAILY BEAST

This official held more the position of a steward, or valet to the superior, than that of a cook.
English Monastic Life|Abbot Gasquet
It's the steward, sir—he's got a touch of a fever; but he'll soon be over it.
Manuel Pereira|F. C. Adams
The steward followed the men, and overtook them, and charged them with stealing.
The Wonder Book of Bible Stories|Compiled by Logan Marshall
The steward looked about ingratiatingly, then he turned toward the door.
The Ghost Breaker|Charles Goddard
"The steward hit me," he said, trying to restrain himself from crying.
The Pacific Triangle|Sydney Greenbie

British Dictionary definitions for steward

steward

/ (ˈstjʊəd) /

noun

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

verb

to act or serve as a steward (of something)

Derived Forms

stewardship, noun

Word Origin for steward

Old English stigweard, from stig hall (see sty) + weard ward

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012