steward

[ stoo-erd, styoo- ]

/ ˈstu ərd, ˈstyu- /

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See synonyms for: steward / stewarded / stewarding / stewards 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.

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Origin of steward

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

OTHER WORDS FROM steward

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

Words nearby steward

Stevens Point, stevia, Stevin, Stevinus, stew, steward, stewardess, stewardship, Stewart, Stewart Island, Stewart, James

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use steward in a sentence

In the United States, such experiments are typically funded by NIH, the nation’s primary steward for biomedical research.
A science in the shadows|David Willman, Madison Muller|August 26, 2021|Washington Post
The number-one thing people can do to protect public land and keep trails open is to be good stewards by staying on the trail.
Meet the Off-Road Enthusiasts Helping Conserve Our Public Lands|elessard|August 9, 2021|Outside Online
He encourages youth of color to become stewards of the environment and “outdoor leaders,” by helping them feel as comfortable on hiking trails and in state parks and preserves as they are in their neighborhood.
Sun, Sand, and Spaghetti|Mike Diago|July 22, 2021|Eater
Potentially offensive or not, Hofstede really believes in the power of culture — so much so that he remains the steward of a massive research project begun more than 50 years ago by his late father.
The Pros and Cons of America’s (Extreme) Individualism (Ep. 470)|Stephen J. Dubner|July 22, 2021|Freakonomics

He also feels that the job of a rancher is to be a steward of the land, not just someone who manages cattle.
Herd Community: Modern-Day Ranching|Sean Culligan|July 2, 2021|Ozy
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
And the way he wanted to be, to some extent anyway, an environmental steward.
Chris Christie Joins the Yahoos, Says No ‘Proof’ Climate Change Caused Sandy|Michael Tomasky|May 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Bill Clinton seems to play a similar role for liberals—a recent president they can look to as a successful economic steward.
The Presidential Perception Gap|Doug Schoen, Jessica Tarlov|September 24, 2012|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
"Give us a table upstairs alone," said Nigel to the head-steward, putting something into his hand.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
The hospital is in charge of a steward appointed by the governor, and is administered by the Order of St. Francis.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
The steward who has charge of it is appointed by the governor, and religious of the Order of St. Francis conduct it.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
The steward is a fisherman—a fisherman being very useful as a weather prophet.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
The steward, a young mulatto, had contracted the bad habit of indulging too much in liquor.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer

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 of steward

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

steward

Origin of steward

OTHER WORDS FROM steward

Words nearby steward

Words related to steward

How to use steward in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for steward

Derived forms of steward

Word Origin for steward