steward

American  

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

noun

1. a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.

2. a person who has charge of the household of another, buying or obtaining food, directing the servants, etc.

3. an employee who has charge of the table, wine, servants, etc., in a club, restaurant, or the like.

4. a person who attends to the domestic concerns of persons on board a vessel, as in overseeing maids and waiters.

5. 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.

6. a flight attendant.

7. a person appointed by an organization or group to supervise the affairs of that group at certain functions.

8. U.S. Navy. a petty officer in charge of officer's quarters and mess.

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verb (used with object)

1. to act as steward of; manage.

verb (used without object)

1. to act or serve as steward.

steward British  

/ ˈstjʊəd /

noun

1. a person who administers the property, house, finances, etc, of another

2. a person who manages the eating arrangements, staff, or service at a club, hotel, etc

3. a person who attends to passengers on an aircraft, ship or train

4. a mess attendant in a naval mess afloat or ashore

5. a person who helps to supervise some event or proceedings in an official capacity

6. short for shop steward

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verb

1. to act or serve as a steward (of something)

Other Word Forms

• stewardship noun
• understeward noun

Etymology

Origin of steward

before 900; Middle English; Old English stīweard, stigweard, equivalent to stig- (sense uncertain; probably “house, hall”; sty ¹ ) + weard ward ( def. )

Explanation

A steward is someone who takes care of the grounds or animals of a particular place. If your parents are always traveling and you have to take care of your six younger siblings, you probably feel like the steward of the house. You might have heard the term "stewardess," a female flight attendant, but the name has trickled out of use in favor of the gender-neutral "flight attendant." A steward is the male version of that. Anyone who takes care of places or people is a steward. You can be a steward of artifacts from an architectural dig. You can also be elected to be the steward of your co-workers retirement fund. Either way, someone's trusting you with their stuff.

Example Sentences

“It’s my responsibility to be a steward of the brand and set it up for the next person,” McAlear said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

On the other hand, the energy sector “become a very careful steward of shareholder capital” according to Colas, making it attractive to investors looking for an alternative to tech companies and their heavy spending.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

“The great hurt and fear for folks that steward the farmworker movement now is that this news will deflate the struggle that is so essential and is so hard,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

Donnelly continues to work in motorsport as a driver coach, FIA steward and founder of the Donnelly Track Academy.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

Among the last to leave the mansion were Paul Jennings and John Sioussat, the White House steward and doorkeeper whom Jennings called “Susé.”

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Related Words

• flight attendant
• hostess
• stewardess
• waiter
• waitress