stewardship

American  

[stoo-erd-ship, styoo-] / ˈstu ərd ʃɪp, ˈstyu- /

noun

1. the position and duties of a steward, a person who acts as the surrogate of another or others, especially by managing property, financial affairs, an estate, etc.

2. the responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving.

   New regulatory changes will result in better stewardship of lands that are crucial for open space and wildlife habitat.

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Other Word Forms

• understewardship noun

Etymology

Origin of stewardship

First recorded in 1450–1500; steward + -ship

Example Sentences

The Nature Conservancy, a more than 70-year-old nonprofit, focuses on ocean and land stewardship, as well as shaping state and federal policy — and coming up with “creative solutions,” Bonham said.

From Los Angeles Times

For generations, the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians’ management of forests in southwestern Oregon has balanced environmental stewardship, indigenous values and economic stability.

From The Wall Street Journal

"When farming thrives, the whole country benefits. British farmers are central to our food security, our rural economy and the stewardship of our countryside," the secretary of state added.

From BBC

And stewardship teams overseeing thousands of companies aren’t inherently better positioned than active managers to divine what is in the long-term interest of any one firm.

From The Wall Street Journal

One of the most powerful gifts grandparents can give, Craine said, is a framework for stewardship.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• administration
• care
• control
• governance
• government
• handling
• operation
• oversight
• supervision