A steward is someone who takes care of something that belongs to someone else, or who manages resources responsibly for the benefit of others. The word carries a sense of faithful service and careful management.

Historically, a steward was a trusted servant who managed a lord's estate, overseeing everything from the household staff to the farmland. The steward didn't own the property, but treated it as if it did, making wise decisions to keep things running smoothly. Flight attendants were once called stewards or stewardesses because they took care of passengers and managed the cabin during flights.

The concept extends beyond people with “steward” in their job title. A steward of the environment protects natural resources for future generations. A family might be stewards of a treasured heirloom, preserving it to pass down. A club treasurer acts as a steward of the organization's funds, spending them wisely and honestly.

The related word stewardship describes this quality of responsible caretaking. Stewardship means recognizing that you're managing something valuable, whether that's money, land, a position of trust, or even your own talents and opportunities. When someone practices stewardship, they think about the long-term impact of their decisions and aim to leave things better than they found them.