guardian
noun
guard·ian
ˈgär-dē-ən 
plural guardians
1
2
: someone who has the care of the person or property of another
often, specifically
: a person granted legal custody of a minor who is not the person's own biological child
The school sent a letter home to all parents and guardians.
3
: a superior of a Franciscan monastery
Synonyms
Examples of guardian in a Sentence
After the death of her parents, her uncle was appointed as her legal guardian.
the state became his guardian when he was put into protective custody
Recent Examples on the Web
In these accounts parents act as guardians and the children are the beneficiaries until the child reaches the age of majority (usually 18, but sometimes 21) in their state.
—
Stephanie Dhue,sharon Epperson, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
In the older strata, the animals were preserved in three dimensions, often in sleeping positions or in nests, or as a guardian of nests, a predator attacking a mammal, or even dinos locked in a fight.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
On the campaign trail, both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are eager to portray themselves as guardians of Medicare.
—Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2024
The only drivers allowed to go into the stadium area at the end of the concert will be parents, guardians and rideshare drivers picking up concertgoers.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for guardian 
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Stephanie Dhue,sharon Epperson, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
In the older strata, the animals were preserved in three dimensions, often in sleeping positions or in nests, or as a guardian of nests, a predator attacking a mammal, or even dinos locked in a fight.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
On the campaign trail, both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are eager to portray themselves as guardians of Medicare.
—Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2024
The only drivers allowed to go into the stadium area at the end of the concert will be parents, guardians and rideshare drivers picking up concertgoers.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for guardian
Dictionary Entries Near guardian
Cite this Entry
“Guardian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guardian. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
guardian
noun
guard·ian
ˈgär-dē-ən
: one who has or is entitled or legally appointed to the care and management of the person or property of another compare committee, conservator, curator, receiver, tutor
—
guardian ad litem
\
-ad-ˈlī-təm, -äd-ˈlē-tem
\
: a guardian appointed by a court to represent in a particular lawsuit the interests of a minor, a person not yet born, or a person judged incompetent
—
guardian by nature
: natural guardian in this entry
—
natural guardian
: a guardian by natural relationship having custody of the person but not the property of a minor
Note: Under common law the father is considered the natural guardian of a child until his death or incapacitation, whereupon the mother becomes the natural guardian. Many states have passed statutes giving both parents equal rights as guardians.
—
statutory guardian
: a guardian appointed by statutory authority
—
testamentary guardian
: a person named in a will to serve as a guardian
guardianship
noun
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