C1noun5K

Ward

UK /["/wɔːd/"]/US /["/wɔːrd/"]/

Definition

a separate room or area in a hospital for people with the same type of medical condition

In simple words: A part of a hospital where patients stay, or a division of a city.

Examples

  • a **maternity/surgical/psychiatric/children’s ward**
  • He worked as a nurse on the children's ward.
  • How many midwives are on the ward?
  • She spent five days in the maternity ward.
  • The doctor was doing her morning ward round.
  • The child was made a **ward of court**.

Usage notes

Use 'ward' to refer to specific areas in hospitals or sections of cities. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but might not be used frequently in everyday conversations.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of a 'guard' who watches over a 'ward' like a hospital room or city area.

Collocations

  • hospital ward
  • city ward
  • mental health ward
  • emergency ward

Synonyms

  • department
  • division
  • sector
  • area
  • unit

Antonyms

  • release
  • freedom
  • liberation

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'ward off', which means to prevent something.
  • Using 'wards' as a verb instead of a noun.
  • Mixing up with 'award', which refers to a prize.