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noun Uncommon

woodward

Woodward (noun) means a person responsible for guarding or overseeing a wood or forest (historical). Example: “The manor's woodward reported anyone caught poaching timber.”

noun
1
A person responsible for guarding or overseeing a wood or forest (historical).
"The manor's woodward reported anyone caught poaching timber."
name
1
A common English surname, originally an occupational name for a forest warden.
"The journalist Bob Woodward is famous for his Watergate reporting."

How to use woodward

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHistorically, an officer who protected and managed a forest; today mostly encountered as a surname.

Word forms

woodwards plural

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The manor's _____ reported anyone caught poaching timber.

Etymology

From Old English wuduweard, "warden of the wood," combining "wood" and "ward" (guardian).

Origin: Old English

Frequently asked questions

What does “woodward” mean?

The word “woodward” means a person responsible for guarding or overseeing a wood or forest (historical). In plain terms, historically, an officer who protected and managed a forest; today mostly encountered as a surname.

How do you use “woodward” in a sentence?

Here is “woodward” used in a sentence: “The manor's woodward reported anyone caught poaching timber.”

What part of speech is “woodward”?

Depending on how it is used, “woodward” can be a noun and a name.

Where does the word “woodward” come from?

The word “woodward” comes from Old English. From Old English wuduweard, "warden of the wood," combining "wood" and "ward" (guardian).

Is “woodward” a common word?

“Woodward” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “woodward” have?

“Woodward” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person responsible for guarding or overseeing a wood or forest (historical).

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial