1. A person appointed in place of another.
2. A union official who represents union employees and who oversees the performance of union contracts.
— Also termed (in sense 2) union steward; shop steward.
steward of all England. Hist. An officer vested with various powers, including the power to preside over the trial of peers.
steward of a manor. Hist. An officer who handles the business matters of a manor, including keeping the court rolls and granting admittance to copyhold lands.