guardian

/ˈɡɑːdɪən/noun

A person who protects or watches over someone or something.

Example sentences

“After her parents died, her aunt became her legal guardian.”
“The park ranger sees herself as a guardian of the forest.”

In law, a guardian has formal authority over a child or dependent adult, which is why school forms say 'parent or guardian'. A 'guardian angel' protects invisibly.

family

Synonyms for guardian

protector
custodian
keeper
defender
caretaker

Related words

orphanA child whose parents have died, or (less commonly) who has lost one parent.partnerThe person someone shares a romantic relationship or home life with, such as a spouse.twinOne of two children (or animals) carried in the same womb at the same time and born at the same birth.divorceThe official ending of a marriage by law.godfatherA man who agrees at a child's baptism to help guide the child's upbringing, especially in the Christian faith.weddingThe ceremony at which two people are married.