guardian

noun

GAHR-dee-uhn/ˈɡɑɹ.di.ən/UKGAH-dee-uhn/ˈɡɑː.dɪ.ən/

6 meanings of guardian

1
protectornouncountable
Someone who keeps a person or thing safe.
The big dog is the guardian of the farm.
The park rangers act as guardians of the old trees.
Similarprotector, custodian, defender, keeper
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2
for a childnouncountable
An adult the law makes responsible for a child, in place of a parent.
Her grandmother became her guardian when she was six.
A parent or guardian must come to the meeting.
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3
for an adultnouncountable
A person the law puts in charge of someone who cannot make decisions for themselves.
Her son became her guardian when her memory got very bad.
The judge chose a guardian for the man after his brain injury.
Similarconservator
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4
Space ForcenounUScountable
A person who serves in the U.S. Space Force.
My cousin is a Guardian in the Space Force.
Airmen and Guardians worked side by side at the base.
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5
video gamenouncountable
A big, strong enemy in a video game, often the last one you fight.
I finally beat the guardian at the end of level two.
The guardian breathes fire, so stay behind the rocks.
Similarboss
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6
monastery leadernouncountable
A leader in a Franciscan monastery.
The guardian gave each brother a job for the day.
The new guardian of the monastery was kind but strict.

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It comes from the Old French word guardein, from the verb guarder, which has Germanic roots. It shares its origin with warden.