warden Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the chief official in charge of a prison

WordNet

Ward"en noun
Etymology
OE. wardein, OF. wardein, gardein, gardain, F. gardien. See Guardian, and Ward guard.
Definitions
  1. A keeper; a guardian; a watchman.
    He called to the warden on the . . . battlements. Sir. W. Scott.
  2. An officer who keeps or guards; a keeper; as, the warden of a prison. chief officer of a prison.
  3. A head official; as, the warden of a college; specifically (Eccl.), a churchwarden.
  4. Properly, a keeping pear. A large, hard pear, chiefly used for baking and roasting. Obs.
    I would have had him roasted like a warden. Beau. & Fl.
    Shak.

Webster 1913