The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word WARDENS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
W
A
R
D
E
N
S
More clues leading to the result WARDENS
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The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does WARDENS mean?
WARDENS noun- A guard or watchman.
- A chief administrative officer of a prison.
- An official charged with supervisory duties or with the enforcement of specific laws or regulations; such as a game warden or air-raid warden
- A governing official in various institutions
- A variety of pear.