I. ˈstü-ərd, ˈstyü-; ˈst(y)u̇rd noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English stīweard, from stī, stig hall, sty + weard ward — more at sty , ward
Date: before 12th century
1. : one employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns (as the supervision of servants, collection of rents, and keeping of accounts)
2. : shop steward
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
II. verb
Date: 1621
transitive verb
: to act as a steward for : manage
intransitive verb
: to perform the duties of a steward