Word
guardian
US/ˈɡɑɹdiən/
UK/ɡˈɑːdiən/
Definitions
01a protector
n. someone who protects or watches over a person, place, or idea.
n. a person who guards, protects, or preserves something, often acting as a symbolic or literal defender.
“The old dog was a faithful guardian of the family home.”
“The museum curators act as the guardians of our cultural heritage, ensuring that ancient artifacts are preserved for future generations.”
02legal protector of a minor
n. a person who is legally responsible for a child, often because the parents have died or cannot care for them.
n. a person legally appointed to have the care of the person or property of a minor, often in loco parentis.
“After his parents died in the accident, his aunt became his legal guardian.”
“The court appointed a temporary guardian to oversee the child's welfare while the custody dispute was being resolved.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'legal guardian'.
03protector of an incapacitated adult
n. someone chosen by a court to make decisions for an adult who is too ill or confused to care for themselves.
n. a person legally responsible for the affairs of an individual who is deemed incompetent or incapacitated.
“The judge appointed a guardian to manage the elderly man's finances.”
“In cases of advanced dementia, a legal guardian may be required to make critical medical and financial decisions on behalf of the patient.”
Formal · Technical
Synonyms
04The Guardian newspaper
n. a famous daily newspaper from the United Kingdom.
n. a major British daily national newspaper known for its liberal editorial stance.
“I read an interesting article in The Guardian about climate change.”
“The Guardian has a long history of investigative journalism and is widely read by those interested in international politics.”
British English
Usage
Always capitalized and usually preceded by 'The'.
Real-World Examples
“Whether or not Pennsylvania’s bell-to-bell ban bill becomes law, parents and guardians remain central to helping children develop healthy phone habits and communication skills.” “A wall-sized photograph of two donkeys in a graveyard look over her work like guardian spirits.” “They are also essential guardians of the environment.” Etymology
From Middle English gardein, garden, (also wardein, > Modern English warden), from Old French guardein, from the verb guarder, of Germanic origin. Compare French gardien. Doublet of warden. By surface analysis, guard + -ian.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/guardian