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

All the while, Dee Dee was godlike to her, her sole caretaker who was always hovering. —Timothy Bella, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2024

With a war still raging on Europe's doorstep, caretaker governments will now control two of the continent's most powerful economies. —Willem Marx, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024

But time is of the essence to appoint a new prime minister, as a 2025 budget cannot be passed by a caretaker government. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024

What's next: A caretaker government will have to lean on unprecedented measures to avert a shutdown this year. —Courtenay Brown, Axios, 4 Dec. 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