Ward Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of WARD

[count]

1

a

:

a section in a hospital for patients needing a particular kind of care

• She works in the cancer/maternity/psychiatric ward.

b

US

:

a section in a prison

• a maximum security ward

2

:

one of the sections into which a city or town is divided for the purposes of an election

• the council representative from Ward 22

3

:

a person (such as a child) who is protected and cared for by a court or guardian

• They were wards of the state.
• (US) The boy was made a ward of the court. = (Brit) The boy was made a ward of court.

Britannica Dictionary definition of WARD

ward (something) off

or

ward off (something)

:

to avoid being hit by (something)

• ward off a blow

— often used figuratively

• I tried different remedies to ward off a cold.