A ward is a person—often a child—who is officially placed under the care and protection of a guardian or the court. It can also mean a division of a hospital or a voting district.
In everyday life, you might hear a grandparent say, “My niece is my ward now,” meaning the child legally lives with them. At the same time, someone visiting a friend could ask, “Which ward is she in?” referring to the hospital wing. On election day, voters walk to their local ward to cast a ballot.
Meaning & Usage Examples
• “The judge made the orphan a ward of the state.”
• “The maternity ward is on the third floor.”
• “Our neighborhood belongs to Ward 7 in the city council elections.”
Context / Common Use
Parents may name a guardian in their will so their child becomes that guardian’s ward if they pass away. Hospitals label wards by specialty—emergency, pediatric, surgical—to help visitors navigate quickly. Cities divide voters into wards so each area has its own representative.
Is a ward always a child?
No. Adults who cannot care for themselves can also become wards if a court appoints a guardian.
How is a hospital ward different from a room?
A ward is a larger section with many rooms and beds for patients with similar needs, while a room is just one private or semi-private space inside it.
Can the term “ward” refer to a building?
Not usually. It refers to a section or area inside a building, not the whole structure.
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