A GUARDIAN is an individual who is responsible for protecting and defending someone or something. This term is often used to refer to a person who is appointed to protect another's legal rights, such as a GUARDIAN of a minor child or a GUARDIAN ad litem in a court case. It can also refer to someone who is responsible for the safety and security of a place or object, such as a security guard or a bodyguard. In some cases, the term GUARDIAN may also be used to refer to a spiritual being or deity that is believed to watch over and protect a person or group.