stewards

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "stewards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as either a noun or a verb. Noun: The stewards of the park ensured the public's safety. Verb: He stewards the resources of the family's business.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The flight's crew included four air stewards and the captain, Patrick Sonderheimer, whose attempts to enter the cockpit by hammering on the door and appealing to Lubitz to "open the damned door" were heard on the cockpit voice recorder.

The Guardian

There were dismal scenes at The Oval on Friday night as plastic glasses and bottles were thrown from the OCS Stand at stewards protecting the outfield at the end of the match.

The Guardian - Sport

However, the stewards decided that the jockey did so in the interests of his safety.

The Guardian - Sport

His hype men, with all the excitement of parking stewards directing traffic, snoozily ask us which coast we're most inclined towards (either is fine, thanks) and if we've been smoking any weed today (no – strangely, since Snoop got here, it's all run out).

The Guardian - Music

We have stewards but some of them just watch the game".

The Guardian - Sport

The money managers need to be good stewards of the foundation's assets.

The Guardian

Related: The mystery of flight 9525: a locked door, a silent pilot and a secret history of illness Pilots and air stewards have been asked not to wear their uniforms, in a mark of respect towards relatives of the dead.

The Guardian

When all hell broke loose in the wake of the drone incident – with stewards, fans and (allegedly) the police attacking Albanian players as they ran from the pitch, shielded by their Serbian counterparts – the powder keg had required only a spark.

The Guardian - Sport

Minutes earlier his makeshift team had surrendered to a seventh straight defeat and he had been forced to retreat deep inside the home dugout during a second half in which stewards permitted two hysterical fans stationed near the technical area to subject him to a cascade of abuse.

The Guardian - Sport

Be aware that if you try standing in the seated areas during shows, officious stewards may insist that you sit down.

The Guardian - Music

Police had to separate fans who invaded the pitch at the final whistle, and the Palace defender Clint Hill required the protection of stewards as he raced to the tunnel.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stewards", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to individuals managing resources, maintaining order at events, or serving as attendants on a flight or ship. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "stewards" interchangeably with general terms like "employees" or "workers" unless their role specifically involves managing, protecting, or overseeing something. "Stewards" carries a specific connotation of responsibility and care.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stewards" is as a plural noun. It typically denotes individuals entrusted with the responsibility of managing, caring for, or overseeing something. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts ranging from event management to environmental conservation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

22%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "stewards" functions primarily as a plural noun, denoting individuals responsible for managing, protecting, or overseeing resources or people. As Ludwig confirms, its grammatical status is correct and it's very common, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. While alternatives like "caretakers" and "custodians" exist, the specific connotation of responsibility and care associated with "stewards" should be considered. When writing, ensure the context clarifies the role implied by "stewards" to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caretakers

Focuses more on the nurturing and protective aspect of the role, often implying a personal investment.

custodians

Emphasizes the act of guarding and preserving something, often with a formal or legal responsibility.

guardians

Implies a protective role, often in relation to vulnerable individuals or valuable assets.

overseers

Highlights the supervisory aspect, suggesting a role in monitoring and directing activities.

managers

Focuses on the administrative and organizational aspects of the role.

supervisors

Stresses the responsibility of overseeing the work or activities of others.

attendants

Refers to individuals who provide assistance or service, particularly in a public setting.

controllers

Implies a strong level of authority and direction over resources or processes.

organizers

Focuses on the planning and coordination aspects of the role.

conservators

Emphasizes the preservation and protection of resources, often in an environmental context.

FAQs

How to use "stewards" in a sentence?

You can use "stewards" to refer to individuals responsible for managing resources, like "environmental stewards", or those who maintain order at events, such as "event stewards". Flight attendants are also referred to as "air stewards".

What can I say instead of "stewards"?

You can use alternatives like "caretakers", "custodians", or "guardians" depending on the context. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the role.

Which is correct, "stewards" or "wardens"?

Both "stewards" and "wardens" imply a sense of responsibility, but "wardens" often specifically refers to those who guard or protect a place or thing, whereas "stewards" has a broader meaning encompassing management and oversight.

What's the difference between "stewards" and "managers"?

"Managers" focus primarily on administrative and organizational tasks, while "stewards" emphasizes the responsibility of caring for and protecting resources or people. A steward's role often involves a deeper sense of commitment to the well-being of what they oversee.