1. A lay official in a parish church responsible for maintaining the church building and its property, and assisting with church administration.
Usage: Common in Anglican and some other Protestant churches.; Typically two churchwardens serve per parish.
2. A long-stemmed clay pipe, traditionally associated with English churchwardens.
Usage: Named after the church officials; the pipe became popular in the 19th century.

Examples

• The churchwarden organized the annual church fundraiser.
• She has served as churchwarden for five years and knows every corner of the building.
• The two churchwardens met with the vicar to discuss repairs to the roof.
• He collected a vintage churchwarden pipe at the antique market.
• The churchwarden's long stem made it a distinctive accessory in Victorian times.
• Churchwardens are elected by the parish to oversee church finances and maintenance.