Meanings
plural wardships
- uncountableusuallylawThe state of being a ward of someone.
The majority said temporary wardship, which allowed the girl to receive a transfusion, was justified.
2009 February 21, Tracey Tyler, “A many-ringed circus”, in Toronto Star - historicaluncountableusuallyIn English feudal law, the guardianship which the lord had of the land of his vassal while the latter was an infant or minor.
And they may sell the wardship of the lands, and the maritages of the heirs, if they are not married, but they cannot alienate any part of the inheritance or they may offend as regards a remaindership.
1879, Rerum Britannicarum Medii Ævi Scriptores
Origin
From ward + -ship. Cognate with Dutch waardschap, Central Franconian Wirtschaff, Hunsrik Wertschaft, German Wirtschaft.
Full word history & related roots →Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
wardship. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/wardship
“wardship.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/wardship. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “wardship,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/wardship.
Source: wardship on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.