custodian

noun

cus·​to·​di·​an ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-ən 

: one that guards and protects or maintains

especially : one entrusted with guarding and keeping property or records or with custody or guardianship of prisoners or inmates

custodianship

ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-ən-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• caretaker
• guardian
• janitor
• keeper
• warden
• watchman

Examples of custodian in a Sentence

the custodian made his usual rounds of the building to make sure that everything was OK

served as custodian of the prisoner until he could be turned over to federal authorities

Recent Examples on the Web

So that’s our jobs as custodians of the arts, to have an entry point where people can see where that’s made by people that look like them and just feel the energy. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 2025

People are walking memories, and certain generations have been custodians of their traditions. —Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2025

Individual custodians may further limit your options within their brokerage, as well. —Stephanie Colestock, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025

While the Scottish Football Association’s longstanding opposition to multi-club ownership is the biggest legal hurdle for Rangers’ potential new custodians to clear, another regulatory headache has caused some concerns, although perhaps for not much longer. —Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for custodian

• cambodian
• collodion
• foucauldian
• nickelodeon

Kids Definition

custodian

noun

cus·​to·​di·​an ˌkəs-ˈtōd-ē-ən 

1

: someone who guards and protects or takes care of something for another person

2

: someone who cleans and takes care of a building : janitor sense 2

Legal Definition

custodian

noun

cus·​to·​di·​an

: an individual entrusted with guarding and keeping property or having custody of a person: as

a

: the warden of a prison

b

: a person given custody of a child by court order

c

: a person named to manage a child's property under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act

d

: a person or entity appointed by a bankruptcy court to take charge of the debtor's property for purposes of administration

custodianship noun