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Definition of guardianship

guardianship

/ˈɡɑːr.di.ən.ʃɪp/
guard · i · an · ship
Plural:guardianships
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guardianship Lexical Profile

guardianship Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The position, office, or legal responsibility of being a guardian who manages the personal care or financial affairs of a minor or an incapacitated person.

Example

"The family court granted legal guardianship of the two children to their maternal grandparents."

2

The state or duty of protecting, preserving, and watching over something of value.

Example

"The museum takes its guardianship of ancient cultural artifacts very seriously."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for guardianship
Antonyms
View all antonyms for guardianship

• Nearby Words

guarder
guardhouse
guardian
guardianship
guardrail
guardroom
guardsman

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the early 17th century from 'guardian' (derived via Old French from a Germanic root meaning 'to keep or ward') combined with the Old English suffix '-ship', denoting an office, status, or position.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Guardianship. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/guardianship
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