1. a female prison guard or jailer
Usage: chiefly British; somewhat dated

Examples

• The wardress unlocked the cell door during visiting hours.
• She worked as a wardress at the women’s correctional facility.
• The wardress conducted the daily inspection of the prisoners’ quarters.
• A senior wardress supervised the new recruits during training.
• The wardress maintained order in the prison dining hall.
• Each wardress was responsible for a specific wing of the facility.