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

The demonstration came to a head in late April as protesters took Hamilton Hall, damaging property and trapping custodians inside. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2025

Investors can transact in either or both certificates, deposit common shares with a custodian to receive the two certificates, or return both certificates to the trust to reclaim a common share. —Gene A. Grant Ii, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

The gunman held a hospital worker hostage and shot multiple people, including a doctor, a nurse and a custodian. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025

Gold IRAs must follow specific regulations, including storage requirements, as the IRS mandates that physical gold be stored by an approved custodian. —Gabriel O Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 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