janitor

noun

jan·​i·​tor ˈja-nə-tər 

1

: one who keeps the premises of a building (such as an apartment or office) clean, tends the heating system, and makes minor repairs

2

: doorkeeper

Synonyms

• caretaker
• custodian
• guardian
• keeper
• warden
• watchman

Examples of janitor in a Sentence

got a job as the night janitor at the elementary school

according to popular Christian tradition, St. Peter acts as janitor at heaven's pearly gates

Recent Examples on the Web

Over a decades-long tenure at SEIU, Huerta oversaw organizing campaigns involving thousands of janitors and other service workers. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 June 2025

At 55, Goodall worked as a middle school janitor in Terre Haute, Ind. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 27 May 2025

Those outside the Lloyd Kaufman fan club may still be curious to see Peter Dinklage in the title role of a meek slob janitor who starts really cleaning up the city after an accident with radioactive waste transforms him into a deformed vigilante. —A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 20 May 2025

Before becoming a priest, Francis was a chemical lab technician, a janitor and a nightclub bouncer. —Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from janus arch, gate

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

janitor

noun

jan·​i·​tor ˈjan-ət-ər 

1

: doorkeeper

2

: a person who has the care of a building

janitorial

ˌjan-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əl 

-ˈtȯr-

adjective