n.

The office, duty, or care, of a guardian; protection; care; watch.

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noun

The function of watching, guarding, or overseeing: care, charge, custody, keeping, superintendence, supervision, trust. See care for/neglect.

IN BRIEF: The legal custody of a person or the property of another.

The grandparents have legal guardianship of their four grandchildren.

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: attention and management implying responsibility for safety
  Synonyms: care, charge, tutelage

Meaning #2: the responsibility of a guardian or keeper
  Synonyms: keeping, safekeeping

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