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stewardship

STOO-erd-ship /ˈstjuːərdʃɪp/

nounC1GMATUPSC

CorporateEnvironmentalEthical

The job of supervising or taking care of something, such as an organization or property.

In environmentalism, 'product stewardship' means that everyone involved in a product's life—especially the manufacturer—is responsible for its environmental impact.

The story behind the word. The word comes from the Old English 'stigweard.' 'Stig' meant a house or hall (related to the modern 'sty'), and 'weard' meant a guard or ward. Originally, a steward was the person in charge of a household's food and drink.

Word relationships

custodianship: Custodianship implies more of a protective, 'holding' role, while stewardship implies active management.

neglect: The state of being uncared for or abandoned.

Commonly confused with

management: Management is about control and efficiency; stewardship is about care and long-term responsibility.

Word family

steward (noun): A person who looks after something.

Collocations

environmental stewardship
product stewardship
responsible stewardship

Example sentences

"Product stewardship is a product-centered approach to environmental protection." Environmental policy guidelines.
"The company's commitment to environmental stewardship includes a comprehensive recycling program for all electronics." Corporate social responsibility.

Memory hook

Think of the 'steward' of a 'ship'—the person who makes sure everything runs safely and everyone is cared for. Careful guardian.

When not to use

Don't use it for simple ownership; it implies a duty of care and responsibility for the future.

Fun facts

The surname 'Stewart' or 'Stuart' originated from the title of High Steward of Scotland.