I. ˈst(y)üə(r)d, -)u̇(ə)rd, -)u̇əd noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English stīweard, stigweard, from stī, stig pen, hall, sty + weard ward — more at sty , ward
1. : one called to exercise responsible care over possessions entrusted to him
a steward of the time, talent, and treasure entrusted to his care
2.
a. obsolete : an officer or employee of a household charged with the general administration of its affairs
b. : a head manager of a manor or estate presiding at the manorial courts, auditing accounts, conducting inquests and extents, and controlling the husbandry arrangements
c. : one employed on a large estate usually to manage its affairs, supervise workmen, collect rents or income, and keep accounts
3. : shop steward
4.
a. : a magistrate appointed by the Scottish crown to exercise jurisdiction over lands forfeited to the crown
b. : an English judicial officer joining with the verderers in proceedings under the forest laws
5.
a. : an officer in charge of finances (as of a guild or an English municipality) : a fiscal agent
b. : one of a body of officers in charge of the finances and some other temporal interests of a local Methodist church
6.
a.
(1) : one employed on board ship to do the catering and superintended culinary affairs
(2) : an employee on a passenger ship who performs various services for the comfort and needs of the passengers
room steward
deck steward
b. : an employee on an airplane, bus, or train who manages the provisioning of food sometimes preparing and serving meals and who may attend to other duties (as seating or the checking of passenger lists, safety belts, and baggage)
7.
a. : an officer of a college who has charge of the commons
b. : one appointed to supervise the provision and distribution of food and drink in an institution (as a hotel, club, hospital)
c. : one who operates a commissary
8.
a. : one who actively directs affairs : manager
the stewards of a jockey club
b. Britain : a person who assists in the supervision of the arrangements of a large gathering of people : usher
c. : an assistant to an animal show judge
9. : either of two officers of a Masonic lodge whose duties are to collect dues, provide refreshments, and perform other similar services
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
: to act as a steward for : manage
intransitive verb
: to perform the duties of a steward