guardian

noun

guard·​ian ˈgär-dē-ən How to pronounce guardian (audio)
plural guardians
Synonyms of guardian
1
: someone or something that guards : custodian
The historical society serves as the guardian of the town's traditions.
2
: someone who is legally responsible for the care and management of property belonging to someone else, or of a person who is unable to manage their own affairs
often, specifically : a person granted legal custody of a minor who is not the person's own biological child
The school sent a letter home to all parents and guardians.
… went to court to secure a nonrelative as the girls' legal guardian … —Janet Maslin
3
: a superior of a Franciscan monastery
guardianship
ˈgär-dē-ən-ˌship How to pronounce guardian (audio)
noun
plural guardianships

Synonyms of guardian

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Examples of guardian in a Sentence

After the death of her parents, her uncle was appointed as her legal guardian. the state became his guardian when he was put into protective custody
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Parents or guardians of minors could be held responsible for administrative penalties, but could not be held criminally responsible. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026 If winner is deemed to be a minor under the jurisdiction of his/her residence, the prize will be awarded in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian who must execute the necessary affidavit and release and, if applicable,. — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 Parents or guardians must still claim and activate those accounts before managing them. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 All the accounts of her story agree that this young heiress, named Maria de Lourdes Fernandes, witnessed the deaths of her parents; her guardian then locked her up and drove her to suicide to get her inheritance. — Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guardian

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gardein, wardein — more at warden

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of guardian was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing guardian

Rhymes for guardian

See All Rhymes for guardian

Browse Nearby Words

guardhouse lawyer
guardian
guardian angel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guardian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guardian. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

guardian

noun
guard·​i·​an
ˈgärd-ē-ən
1
: one that guards : custodian
2
: one who legally has the care of a person or the property of another
guardianship
-ˌship
noun

Legal Definition

guardian

noun
guard·​ian ˈgär-dē-ən How to pronounce guardian (audio)
: one who has or is entitled or legally appointed to the care and management of the person or property of another compare committee, conservator, curator, receiver, tutor
— guardian ad litem \ -​ad-​ˈlī-​təm, -​äd-​ˈlē-​tem \
: a guardian appointed by a court to represent in a particular lawsuit the interests of a minor, a person not yet born, or a person judged incompetent
— guardian by nature
: natural guardian in this entry
— natural guardian
: a guardian by natural relationship having custody of the person but not the property of a minor

Note: Under common law the father is considered the natural guardian of a child until his death or incapacitation, whereupon the mother becomes the natural guardian. Many states have passed statutes giving both parents equal rights as guardians.

— statutory guardian
: a guardian appointed by statutory authority
— testamentary guardian
: a person named in a will to serve as a guardian
guardianship noun

More from Merriam-Webster on guardian

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guardian

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