noun

1. a person who guards, or has charge of, something; keeper, custodian, or special supervisory official fire warden, game warden
2. the chief administrative official of a prison
3. in England, a title for: now obsolete when used for other high government officers
   1. a governor
   2. an officer in charge of a certain department of government
   3. the superintendent of a port or market
4. in England,
   1. a governing officer in certain guilds, hospitals, etc.; trustee
   2. the head of certain British colleges and of some schools
5. in Connecticut, the chief executive of a borough
6. churchwarden (sense )
7. Archaic a gatekeeper or watchman

Etymology: ME wardein < NormFr, warden (for OFr gardien): see guardian

noun

Etymology: ME wardone, prob. < NormFr warder, to keep: see ward,