caretaker

noun

care·​tak·​er ˈker-ˌtā-kər 

1

: one that gives physical or emotional care and support

served as caretaker to the younger children

2

: one that takes care of the house or land of an owner who may be absent

3

: one temporarily fulfilling the function of office

a caretaker government

caretake

ˈker-ˌtāk 

verb

caretaking

ˈker-ˌtā-kiŋ 

noun

Synonyms

• custodian
• guardian
• janitor
• keeper
• warden
• watchman

Examples of caretaker in a Sentence

We have a caretaker who watches the place for us while we are away.

hired a caretaker for the mansion during the winter months

Recent Examples on the Web

Sadly, that’s not happening here, as the entirety of Redick’s job description is to serve as the caretaker during the sundown of LeBron, much like Byron Scott was once hired to oversee the goodbye to Kobe Bryant. —Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2024

The estate includes four combined parcels, which were purchased over several years, and has a main residence, several guest houses, a caretaker’s unit, and a funicular. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 17 June 2024

Nicholson, with his wife (Shelley Duvall) and their young son (Danny Lloyd), has been hired on as the resident caretaker through those months by Barry Nelson (who manages to look disconcertingly like both Jack Kennedy and Ronald Reagan). —Arthur Knight, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2024

The medical facility had already been hit by mortar shells and bullets multiple times in the preceding weeks between May 25th and June 3rd resulting in two deaths and 14 injuries among patients and caretakers, according to MSF. —Eve Brennan, CNN, 10 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

caretaker

noun

care·​tak·​er ˈke(ə)r-ˌtā-kər 

ˈka(ə)r-

: one that takes care of buildings or land often for an absent owner