Stewardess: meaning, definitions and examples

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stewardess

[ˈstjuːərdəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

on an airplane

A stewardess is a female flight attendant who is responsible for the comfort and safety of passengers during a flight. Stewardesses typically assist passengers with seating, serve meals and drinks, and provide information about safety procedures.

Synonyms

air hostess, flight attendant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
stewardess	This term is considered outdated and can be seen as gender-specific. It was more commonly used in the mid-20th century to refer to female cabin crew. The stewardess served drinks to the passengers. Back in the 1960s, many airlines hired stewardesses.
flight attendant	This is the most modern and gender-neutral term used today. It refers to any member of the cabin crew, regardless of gender, responsible for passenger safety and comfort. The flight attendant asked everyone to fasten their seatbelts. Flight attendants are trained to handle emergencies.
air hostess	Similar to 'stewardess', this term is also considered outdated and gender-specific. It's more common in British English and refers to a female member of the cabin crew. The air hostess instructed everyone on the safety procedures. She always wanted to be an air hostess when she was young.

Word

Description / Examples

stewardess

This term is considered outdated and can be seen as gender-specific. It was more commonly used in the mid-20th century to refer to female cabin crew.

The stewardess served drinks to the passengers.
Back in the 1960s, many airlines hired stewardesses.

flight attendant

This is the most modern and gender-neutral term used today. It refers to any member of the cabin crew, regardless of gender, responsible for passenger safety and comfort.

The flight attendant asked everyone to fasten their seatbelts.
Flight attendants are trained to handle emergencies.

air hostess

Similar to 'stewardess', this term is also considered outdated and gender-specific. It's more common in British English and refers to a female member of the cabin crew.

The air hostess instructed everyone on the safety procedures.
She always wanted to be an air hostess when she was young.

Examples of usage

She greeted the passengers with a warm smile, just like a professional stewardess.
The stewardess demonstrated how to use the oxygen mask in case of emergency.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

historical context

In the past, a stewardess was a female employee on a ship responsible for the care and welfare of passengers. The role of a stewardess has evolved over time to primarily refer to flight attendants on airplanes.

Synonyms

ship steward.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
stewardess	A term traditionally used to describe female flight attendants aboard airplanes. Though the term is dated and can be considered sexist, as it implies that the job is gender-specific. The stewardess smiled as she handed me the drinks menu. In the past, airlines often employed young, attractive stewardesses to cater to passengers.
ship steward	Used to describe someone, often on a cruise ship or a large vessel, responsible for the passengers' well-being, hospitality and sometimes administrative tasks. The ship steward greeted us as we boarded and showed us to our cabin. During the voyage, the ship steward made sure we had everything we needed.

Word

Description / Examples

stewardess

A term traditionally used to describe female flight attendants aboard airplanes. Though the term is dated and can be considered sexist, as it implies that the job is gender-specific.

The stewardess smiled as she handed me the drinks menu.
In the past, airlines often employed young, attractive stewardesses to cater to passengers.

ship steward

Used to describe someone, often on a cruise ship or a large vessel, responsible for the passengers' well-being, hospitality and sometimes administrative tasks.

The ship steward greeted us as we boarded and showed us to our cabin.
During the voyage, the ship steward made sure we had everything we needed.

Examples of usage

The stewardess on the Titanic played a crucial role in assisting passengers during the tragic sinking.
Back in the 1950s, stewardesses were required to meet strict height and weight requirements.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The term 'stewardess' began being used in the early 1930s as women entered the airline workforce to care for passengers.
Originally, the role was filled by young women who were nurses or were trained in first aid to ensure passenger safety.

Changing Roles

Over the years, the role of a stewardess has evolved to include extensive training in emergency procedures and customer service skills.
Today, many airlines prefer the gender-neutral term 'flight attendant' to describe all cabin crew members, regardless of gender.

Cultural Impact

The portrayal of stewardesses in movies and television has often reflected societal norms and changes, leading to stereotypes of glamour and hospitality.
In the 1960s, stewardesses were expected to maintain a certain image and were often required to meet strict appearance standards.

Work Environment

Flight attendants often work long hours and deal with challenging situations such as turbulence or difficult passengers, showcasing their adaptability.
The job requires being away from home for extended periods, with many attendants developing unique coping strategies to manage travel fatigue.

Safety Regulations

Stewardesses undergo rigorous training in emergency evacuation procedures and are often the first responders in case of in-flight medical emergencies.
They play a crucial role in implementing safety protocols, such as demonstrating the use of seatbelts and life jackets before a flight.

Translations

Translations of the word "stewardess" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aeromoça

🇮🇳 विमान परिचारिका

🇩🇪 Stewardess

🇮🇩 pramugari

🇺🇦 стюардеса

🇵🇱 stewardesa

🇯🇵 スチュワーデス

🇫🇷 hôtesse de l'air

🇪🇸 azafata

🇹🇷 hostes

🇰🇷 스튜어디스

🇸🇦 مضيفة طيران

🇨🇿 letuška

🇸🇰 letuška

🇨🇳 空姐

🇸🇮 steklenica

🇮🇸 flugfreyja

🇰🇿 бортсерік

🇬🇪 ბორტ-გამცილებელი

🇦🇿 stüardessa

🇲🇽 azafata

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,749, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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28746 transposing
28747 unzipped
28748 triviality
28749 stewardess
28750 coagulating
28751 eccentrically
28752 reappearing
...