warden

/ˈwɔːdn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈwɔːrdn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwȯr-dᵊn/ (ame, mw)

warden — noun

  • wardensingular
  • wardensplural

1. The senior official who manages a prison and is responsible for the safety, orde

1.名詞B2
釋義

The senior official who manages a prison and is responsible for the safety, order, and discipline of both staff and prisoners.

例句

Adaeze has worked as the warden of Greenfield Prison for more than twelve years.

warden of [prison name]

The warden ordered a search of the cells after a knife was found in the yard.

authority action: order + noun phrase

同義詞
  • governor

    Used in British English for the head of a prison; equivalent rank but different regional term.

  • director

    More general term for the head of an institution; less specific to prison settings.

  • superintendent

    Used in some US states and for some types of correctional facilities; similar level of authority.

文法句型

the warden of + [prison name]

[adjective] warden

serve/appoint as warden

用法筆記

In British English, the head of a prison is more often called the 'governor'; 'warden' is the standard term in American English.

常見錯誤

❌The prison warden unlocked the cell doors every morning.
✅The prison guard unlocked the cell doors every morning.
💡A warden is the senior manager of the whole prison, not the employee who directly supervises individual prisoners.
❌The warden arrested the escaped prisoner.
✅The warden ordered the guards to recapture the escaped prisoner.
💡A warden gives orders but does not personally carry out arrests.

2. A person responsible for supervising a specific building and looking after the p

2.名詞B2
釋義

A person responsible for supervising a specific building and looking after the people who use it, especially a residence hall, community centre, or shelter.

例句

Hana works as the warden of a large student residence near the university campus.

warden of [building type]

The building warden checks the fire alarms every Monday morning without fail.

同義詞
  • supervisor

    A more general term; less specific to residential buildings.

  • caretaker

    Focuses more on maintenance of the building than on supervising the people inside.

  • resident adviser

    The common American equivalent for a university dormitory warden; more focused on student welfare.

文法句型

the warden of + [building]

[building type] warden

warden of + [institution]

用法筆記

This sense is most common in British English, particularly in university accommodation and public buildings. In American English, a similar role is often called a 'resident advisor' (in dorms) or 'building manager'.

常見錯誤

❌The building warden arrested the man who broke the window.
✅The building warden called the police after the window was broken.
💡A building warden manages safety and order but has no law enforcement powers.

3. The senior official who leads a college in the British university system, overse

3.名詞C1
釋義

The senior official who leads a college in the British university system, overseeing academic affairs and the welfare of students.

例句

The warden of St. Anne's College gave a speech at the graduation ceremony.

the warden of [college name]

After twenty years as a professor, Élise was appointed warden of the college.

同義詞
  • principal

    Common title for the head of a college, especially in Scotland and some newer UK universities.

  • master

    Used at some Oxford and Cambridge colleges instead of 'warden'.

  • president

    Standard American term for the head of a college or university.

文法句型

the warden of + [college name]

[name], the warden of + [college]

用法筆記

Primarily used in the British university system, especially at Oxford and Cambridge colleges. Equivalent titles at other institutions include 'president,' 'principal,' or 'master.' The role combines academic administration with pastoral care of students.

常見錯誤

❌The warden of the university signed my degree certificate.
✅The vice-chancellor of the university signed my degree certificate.
💡A warden heads a specific college within a university; the head of the whole university is the vice-chancellor (UK) or president (US).

4. A person employed to check that people follow specific rules or regulations in p

4.名詞B2
釋義

A person employed to check that people follow specific rules or regulations in public places, such as parking laws, wildlife protection, or fire safety standards.

例句

A traffic warden placed a parking ticket on the windscreen of Madison's car.

collocation: traffic warden

The game warden spotted a group of poachers near the river and called the police.

collocation: game warden

同義詞
  • inspector

    A more general term; less specific to outdoor/public-space enforcement.

  • enforcement officer

    Formal title for many regulatory roles; broader scope.

  • ranger

    Specifically for park or wildlife wardens; 'game warden' is a synonym in North America.

文法句型

[type] warden

traffic warden / game warden / fire warden

用法筆記

The compound noun ('traffic warden', 'game warden', etc.) specifies the area of enforcement. A traffic warden handles parking violations but does not have police powers of arrest. This sense can be combined with many public contexts (beach, park, fire, traffic, game).

常見錯誤

❌The traffic warden arrested the driver for speeding.
✅The traffic warden gave the driver a parking ticket.
💡A traffic warden handles parking and minor traffic offences but cannot make arrests.
❌The fire warden put out the fire with a hose.
✅The fire warden evacuated the building and called the fire department.
💡A fire warden checks fire safety and coordinates evacuation, not a firefighter.