steward

[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.
verb (used with object)
9.
to act as steward of; manage.
verb (used without object)
10.
to act or serve as steward.
Origin
before 900; Middle English; Old English stīweard, stigweard, equivalent to stig- (sense uncertain; probably “house, hall”; see sty1) + weard ward2
Related forms
stewardship, noun
understeward, noun
Examples from the web for steward
  • It was given to a steward and handlers put it in the hold.
  • Armed with information, you can become a good steward of the world.
  • Each portrays himself as a decisive, frank and humane steward of the public finances.
  • But it is also the steward of scarce public resources and the preserver of public goods such as law and order.
  • As a steward of historic preservation, his quest to engage and enlighten others will continue to guide us.
  • As a farmer, it is rewarding to be a steward of a small piece of land and have so many satisfied and satiated customers.
  • Consumers want to hear that you're a good steward of the environment almost in the same breath as health and wellness.
  • Announcing the meeting, the sovereign's grand steward lamented the way political strings had been pulled.
British Dictionary definitions for 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
7.
to act or serve as a steward (of something)
Derived Forms
stewardship, noun
Word Origin
Old English stigweard, from stig hall (see sty) + weardward
Word Origin and History for steward
n.

Old English stiward, stigweard "house guardian," from stig "hall, pen" + weard "guard." Used after the Conquest as the equivalent of Old French seneschal (q.v.). Meaning "overseer of workmen" is attested from c.1300. The sense of "officer on a ship in charge of provisions and meals" is first recorded mid-15c.; extended to trains 1906. This was the title of a class of high officers of the state in early England and Scotland, hence meaning "one who manages affairs of an estate on behalf of his employer" (late 14c.).

The Scottish form is reflected in Stewart, name of the royal house, from Walter (the) Steward, who married (1315) Marjorie de Bruce, daughter of King Robert. The terminal -t is a Scottish form (late 14c.). Stuart is a French spelling, attested from 1429 and adopted by Mary, Queen of Scots.