ward
wawd
Ward (noun) means a section of a hospital where patients with similar needs are cared for. Example: “She was moved to the maternity ward after the birth.”
noun
1
A section of a hospital where patients with similar needs are cared for.
"She was moved to the maternity ward after the birth."
"Visiting hours on the children's ward begin at two o'clock."
"The nurse walked along the ward checking on each patient."
2
An administrative division of a city, town, or borough.
"The councillor represents the northern ward of the city."
"Voters in each ward elect a councillor to represent them."
"Our ward has a new community centre near the station."
3
A person, especially a child, under the legal protection of a guardian.
"After her parents died, she became a ward of the state."
"The judge appointed an aunt as guardian of the young ward."
"The old lawyer looked after his ward until she turned eighteen."
verb
1
To repel or turn aside something threatening (usually with "off").
"He raised his arm to ward off the blow."
"She wore a scarf to ward off the cold wind."
"Garlic is said to ward off evil spirits in the old story."
How to use ward
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA protected section (of a hospital or city), a person under legal guardianship, or (as a verb) to fend something off.
Common pairings
hospital ward
ward off
ward of the court
city ward
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Word forms
- Plural
- wards
- Third person singular
- wards
- Past tense
- warded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was moved to the maternity _____ after the birth.
Etymology
From Old English weard, meaning "guard" or "watchman," from a Germanic root related to heeding and defending — the same root that eventually gives us "guard" and "warden."
Related words
Rhymes for ward
See all rhymes for ward →Frequently asked questions
What does “ward” mean?
The word “ward” means a section of a hospital where patients with similar needs are cared for. In plain terms, a protected section (of a hospital or city), a person under legal guardianship, or (as a verb) to fend something off.
How do you pronounce “ward”?
“Ward” is pronounced wawd (/wɔɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “ward” in a sentence?
Here is “ward” used in a sentence: “She was moved to the maternity ward after the birth.”
What part of speech is “ward”?
Depending on how it is used, “ward” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ward” come from?
The word “ward” comes from Old English. From Old English weard, meaning "guard" or "watchman," from a Germanic root related to heeding and defending — the same root that eventually gives us "guard" and "warden.".
Is “ward” a common word?
“Ward” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “ward” have?
“Ward” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a section of a hospital where patients with similar needs are cared for.
What is the difference between a hospital ward and a hospital unit?
A ward is a section of a hospital where patients with similar needs are cared for together, traditionally in a shared room. A unit often refers to a specialised department, such as an intensive care unit, though the two terms overlap and usage varies by country and hospital.
What is the difference between a ward and a district?
A ward is an administrative division of a city, town, or borough, often used for local elections. A district is usually a larger administrative area, so wards are frequently smaller subdivisions within a wider district or borough.
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