a division or district of a city or town, as for administrative or political purposes.

one of the districts into which certain English and Scottish boroughs are divided.

a division, floor, or room of a hospital for a particular class or group of patients

a convalescent ward; a critical ward.

any of the separate divisions of a prison.

a political subdivision of a parish in Louisiana.

Mormon Church . one of the subdivisions of a stake, presided over by a bishop.

Fortification . an open space within or between the walls of a castle or fortified place

the castle's lower ward.

Law .

a person, esp. a minor, who has been legally placed under the care of a guardian or a court.

the state of being under the care or control of a legal guardian.

guardianship over a minor or some other person legally incapable of managing his or her own affairs.

the state of being under restraining guard or in custody.

a person who is under the protection or control of another.

a movement or posture of defense, as in fencing.

a curved ridge of metal inside a lock, forming an obstacle to the passage of a key that does not have a corresponding notch.

the notch or slot in the bit of a key into which such a ridge fits.

the act of keeping guard or protective watch

watch and ward.

Archaic . a company of guards or a garrison.

to avert, repel, or turn aside (danger, harm, an attack, an assailant, etc.) (usually fol. by off )

to ward off a blow; to ward off evil.

to place in a ward, as of a hospital or prison.

Archaic . to protect; guard.

noun

area , canton , department , diocese , division , parish , precinct , quarter , territory , zone , adopted child , care , charge , child , client , dependent , foster child , godchild , guardianship , keeping , minor , orphan , pensioner , protection , protg , protge , pupil , safekeeping , trust , confinement , custody , guard , preservation , protector , safeguard , security , shield , lookout , picket , sentinel , sentry , watch , block , corridor , defense , district , garrison , protg. associated word:pupillary , tutelage

verb

guard , preserve , protect , safeguard , secure , shield , avert , forestall , forfend , obviate , preclude , rule out , stave off

phrasal verb

beat off , fend , keep off , repel , repulse