steward
steward — noun
1. someone who is in charge of looking after a property, organizing an event for an
someone who is in charge of looking after a property, organizing an event for an organization, or managing everyday affairs for another person
The estate steward employed by the Watanabe family showed guests around the gardens.
role: estate/property management
Conference stewards at the convention center handed out badges and directed guests to their seats.
role: event steward
Nkechi worked as a steward at a music festival, helping lost visitors find the stages.
The race steward waved a yellow flag when a car spun off the track.
The building steward keeps the entrance clean and makes sure the heating system works properly.
用法筆記
Covers a wide range of roles — from managing a private estate to helping at a one-day sporting event. The common thread is taking care of people, places, or things on behalf of another person or organization.
常見錯誤
2. a crew member on a ship, aircraft, or train who serves food and drinks to passen
a crew member on a ship, aircraft, or train who serves food and drinks to passengers and assists them during the journey
A ship steward brought fresh towels and a menu to the cabin before dinner.
role: ship steward
The airline steward showed passengers how to use the oxygen masks before takeoff.
role: airline steward
Passengers could call their cabin steward at any hour for extra pillows.
Élise worked as a flight steward for several years before training to become a pilot.
- flight attendant
the modern standard term for crew serving passengers on an aircraft
- cabin crew
collective term for all stewards and stewardesses working on the same flight
- purser
the senior crew member in charge of the cabin staff on a ship or aircraft
- passenger
the traveler who receives service from the steward
用法筆記
For aircraft, flight attendant has largely replaced steward in modern use, but steward is still common for ships and trains. Cabin steward is typical on cruise ships.
常見錯誤
3. an employee at a club, college, or institution who is responsible for buying foo
an employee at a club, college, or institution who is responsible for buying food and making sure meals are served to members or residents
The golf club steward ordered fresh fruit and drinks for the members' lounge every Monday.
role: club steward
At the university college, the steward planned meals for over three hundred students each day.
The club steward checked the kitchen supplies and told the chef what to order.
Jiwoo asked the steward if the dining room was open for lunch during the holiday.
- caterer
broader role that may include outside events and contract work rather than employment by one institution
- food service manager
the standard American English term for this role
- mess steward
specific to military dining facilities
用法筆記
Most common in British English and in traditional institutions such as private clubs, university colleges, and the military. In American English, food service manager or caterer is more typical.
4. a member of a labor union who is chosen by fellow workers to represent their con
a member of a labor union who is chosen by fellow workers to represent their concerns when speaking with company management
The factory steward met with senior managers to discuss plans for safer working conditions.
role: union steward
Defne was elected shop steward because colleagues trusted her to handle talks with management.
The shop steward collected questions from workers before the meeting with company leaders.
When the new contract was announced, the steward explained each change to the union members.
- shop steward
the most common specific name for this role, especially in manufacturing and retail
- union rep
informal shortened form, commonly used in British workplaces
- worker representative
a more general formal term that may exist in non-union settings
- management
the employer side that the union steward negotiates with on behalf of workers
用法筆記
Also called a shop steward. This role exists in labor unions across many countries; the steward is both a worker and an elected representative, not a full-time union official.
常見錯誤
steward — verb
1. to take responsibility for managing something valuable, such as money, land, or
to take responsibility for managing something valuable, such as money, land, or natural resources, in a careful and ethical way
Local communities must steward their forests and rivers carefully for the sake of future generations.
steward + natural resources
The charity stewarded its donations wisely, spending most of the money on direct aid programs.
adverb: steward wisely / carefully
Christopher stewarded a large research fund, making sure every dollar supported important scientific work.
The park ranger stewarded the wildlife preserve for over twenty years, protecting rare bird species.
文法句型
steward + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used in formal or ethical contexts — for example, discussions about the environment, charitable funds, or cultural heritage. Unlike manage, steward implies a moral duty to protect something for others rather than simply operate it efficiently.
常見錯誤
2. to serve as a steward at a particular event, on a vehicle, or in an institution,
to serve as a steward at a particular event, on a vehicle, or in an institution, carrying out the duties of the role
Nila stewarded at the annual book fair, directing visitors to different exhibition halls.
steward + at [event]
Students at the college take turns to steward the main dining hall during lunch service.
Valentina stewarded for a small airline in East Africa for nearly ten years.
Lakan stewarded at the county fair last August, checking tickets at the main gate.
- work as a steward
the more natural phrasing in most contexts; the single-word verb sounds formal or dated
- serve
broader and more general; does not specify the steward role
文法句型
steward + at [event]
steward + for [organization]
用法筆記
Less common than the noun form. Often describes temporary or periodic work rather than a permanent position. The verb is typically followed by a prepositional phrase (at, for, in).