ward
ward
/wɔːrd/
A person, especially a minor or incapacitated adult, who is placed under the legal protection and care of a guardian or a court.
A ward lacks full legal capacity, and their guardian makes decisions on their behalf. A 'ward of the court' is directly protected by the judicial system.
The story behind the word. Ward comes from the Old English 'weard', meaning 'keeping, guarding, or protection'. Historically, a ward was someone kept safe under a watchman's eye. Over time, the noun shifted from the act of guarding to the person being guarded.
Word relationships
- dependent: A dependent is anyone relying on another for financial support, whereas a ward is specifically under legal protection and custody.
- charge: A charge is someone entrusted to another's care, but it is a less formal, more general term than ward.
- guardian: A guardian is the person who protects, while the ward is the person being protected.
Commonly confused with
- guardian: The guardian is the protector; the ward is the person being protected.
Word family
- wardship (noun): The state of being a ward or under the care of a guardian.
Collocations
- ward of the court
- ward of the state
- make someone a ward
- legal ward
Example sentences
- "She was a ward of the court, and her guardian was extremely strict about her social engagements." A classic literary reference to legal protection.
- "The orphaned teenager became a ward of the state until a suitable foster family could be found." A modern social services scenario.
Memory hook
A ward is kept safe in the protective 'ward' (like a hospital ward) of the court. Ward = Person under watch.
When not to use
Do not use ward to describe a child who is under the normal, uninterrupted custody of their biological parents.
Fun facts
- In medieval England, 'wardship' was a highly lucrative right; the king could sell the wardship of wealthy orphans to nobles, who would manage (and often exploit) the orphan's estates.
Related words
Explore more words
custody, incapacitate, helpless, protege, adjudication, juvenile
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