# steward

/ˈstuɝd/ (US) · /stjˈuːəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/steward
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. event official

noun · CEFR B2

a person who helps organize a large public event, like a race or a concert, and looks after the crowd.

For teachers: an official responsible for the management, safety, and logistics of a large-scale public event or sporting competition.

- The stewards at the music festival showed us where to park our car.
- Race stewards conducted a thorough investigation into the collision before deciding whether to penalize the driver for dangerous conduct.

### 2. ship or plane attendant

noun · CEFR B2

a person who looks after passengers on a ship or a plane.

For teachers: a staff member on a commercial vessel or aircraft responsible for passenger comfort, meals, and safety.

- The ship's steward brought fresh towels to our cabin every morning.
- The chief steward coordinated the dining room staff to ensure that all three hundred passengers were served simultaneously during the gala.

Usage: In aviation, 'flight attendant' has largely replaced 'steward' or 'stewardess' in modern professional contexts.

Teaching tip: While common in nautical contexts, using this for airline staff is now considered dated; 'flight attendant' is the standard gender-neutral term.

### 3. manager of property

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

someone who manages the money, land, or daily business for another person or a large organization.

For teachers: a person appointed to manage the estates, finances, or domestic affairs of another, often in a fiduciary capacity.

- He served as the steward of the family estate for over thirty years.
- As the financial steward of the university's endowment, she was responsible for ensuring long-term growth while minimizing market risk.

### 4. union representative

noun · CEFR B2

a worker who is chosen by their colleagues to represent them in talks with the company bosses.

For teachers: a labor union member elected to represent fellow workers in negotiations and grievance procedures with management.

- If you have a problem with your contract, you should talk to the union steward.
- The shop steward met with the factory manager to discuss the new safety protocols requested by the night shift workers.

Usage: Often used in the compound 'shop steward'.

### 5. caretaker of resources

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a person who takes care of something important, like the environment or a tradition, for the future.

For teachers: an individual who exercises responsible and protective care over resources, such as the environment or cultural heritage.

- We must be good stewards of the forest so that it stays healthy for our children.
- The indigenous community has acted as the primary steward of these lands for centuries, preserving a delicate ecological balance.

### 6. to manage or care for

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to manage or look after something carefully.

For teachers: to act as a steward; to manage, supervise, or care for a particular resource or organization.

- She has stewarded the charity through a very difficult financial period.
- The department was carefully stewarded through the transition, ensuring that no vital data was lost during the software migration.

## Examples

- The steward showed the passengers to their seats on the ship.
- During the music festival, a steward directed the crowd toward the emergency exits to prevent overcrowding.
- Environmentalists argue that we must act as responsible stewards of the planet's natural resources to ensure the survival of future generations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.