steward

[ stoo-erd, styoo- ]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as steward of; manage.

verb (used without object)

1. to act or serve as steward.

steward

/ 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

verb

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

Derived Forms

• ˈstewardˌship, noun

Other Words From

• steward·ship noun
• under·steward noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of steward¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of steward¹

Old English stigweard, from stig hall (see sty ) + weard ward

Example Sentences

In his Charlottesville manifesto, he wrote, “We have the potential to become nature’s steward or its destroyer.”

From Salon

Working in government “begins with this idea that you’re a steward of the public’s good,” said Max Stier, CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, a nonpartisan organization that advises the government.

From Los Angeles Times

In Singapore, Red Bull driver Verstappen was ordered by FIA stewards to "accomplish some work of public interest" after using a swear word to describe his car in a news conference.

From BBC

On Thursday, hundreds of people gathered on O'Connell Street in Dublin city centre for the parade but no police or stewards were present.

From BBC

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said he thought that was the case, but the stewards’ verdicts there gave different reasoning to the one in Austin.

From BBC

Related Words

• flight attendant
• hostess
• stewardess
• waiter
• waitress