1.a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
2.a district into which a city or town is divided for the purpose of administration and elections
3.block forming a division of a hospital (or a suite of rooms) shared by patients who need a similar kind of care;
they put her in a 4-bed ward
4.a division of a prison (usually consisting of several cells)
1.watch over or shield from danger or harm; protect;
guard my possessions while I'm away