steward

1 of 2

noun

stew·​ard ˈstü-ərd How to pronounce steward (audio)
ˈstyü-;
ˈst(y)u̇rd
1
: one employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns (such as the supervision of servants, collection of rents, and keeping of accounts)
2
3
: a fiscal agent
4
a
: an employee on a ship, airplane, bus, or train who manages the provisioning of food and attends passengers
b
: one appointed to supervise the provision and distribution of food and drink in an institution
5
: one who actively directs affairs : manager

steward

2 of 2

verb

stewarded; stewarding; stewards

transitive verb

: to act as a steward for : manage

intransitive verb

: to perform the duties of a steward

Examples of steward in a Sentence

Noun the steward of their investments teaching our children to be good stewards of the land the steward of the estate The race stewards are reviewing the results. Verb will steward the city's library programs
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
For his part, Verstappen said the two penalties were excessive, but refused to elaborate on the stewards’ verdict. Dan Cancian, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Both incidents were investigated by the stewards, with Verstappen being handed two separate 10-second penalties for forcing a driver off the track and leaving the track and gaining an advantage. Sam Joseph, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
One of the best ways to steward a gift is by reporting the outcome or the results of the gift, the lives impacted, and the difference made in the most personal way possible. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 The data holding entities [such as hospitals] under HIPAA have an obligation to steward the information that's in their control. Seth Joseph, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for steward 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'steward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English stīweard, from stī, stig hall, sty + weard ward — more at sty, ward

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1621, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of steward was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near steward

Cite this Entry

“Steward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steward. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

steward

noun
stew·​ard
ˈst(y)ü-ərd,
ˈst(y)u̇(-ə)rd
1
: a manager of a large home, estate, or organization
2
: a person employed to manage the supply and distribution of food and attend the needs of passengers (as on a train, airplane, or ship)
Etymology

Noun

Old English stīweard, literally, "keeper of the hall, keeper of the sty," from stī "hall, sty" and weard "ward, guard, keeper"

Legal Definition

steward

noun
stew·​ard

More from Merriam-Webster on steward

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