custodian

noun

ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-ən How to pronounce custodian (audio)
Definition of custodiannext
1
as in keeper
a person who takes care of a property sometimes for an absent owner the custodian made his usual rounds of the building to make sure that everything was OK

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2
as in guardian
a person or group that watches over someone or something served as custodian of the prisoner until he could be turned over to federal authorities

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3
as in defender
someone that protects we must regard ourselves as custodians of the Earth so that its natural resources may be enjoyed by many generations to come

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of custodian Two custodians were killed in a shooting at a Chicago Public Schools elementary school on Monday afternoon near Midway International Airport. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 In practice, this may include such items as custody authority, storage of private keys, use of third-party custodians, and reporting of unrealized gains or losses in quarterly reports. — Matthew Kayser, Ascend Agency, 10 Aug. 2026 Starting in 2011, the IRS required brokers and custodians to report cost-basis and holding-period information for stock and mutual fund investors on Form 1099-B. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 Best for higher net-worth investors Augusta Precious Metals sells gold and silver directly, and also works with third-party custodians to manage your IRA. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for custodian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custodian
  1. keeper
  2. guardian
  3. defender
  4. janitor
  5. warden
  6. protector
  7. caretaker
  8. guard
Noun
  • The 23-year-old has been lined up to be the third-choice keeper this season.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Seattle keeper Andrew Thomas had the only save of the match on a shot by Müller in the 52nd minute.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • As families prepare for the first day of classes, parents and guardians are gathering school supplies, arranging carpools and figuring out how their children will get to and from school.
    — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The law requires that minors under 16 link their social media accounts to a legal guardian to ensure supervision.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of guardian
Noun
  • Sullivan and defender Kai Wagner had assists on Jacques' third goal -- matching his total from last season.
    — CBS New York Team, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Edelman, who perfectly timed his run, slipped between a pair of defenders for a sliding first-touch goal, off a cross played by Conrad Wallem, from the center of the penalty box.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • The janitor then told nurses of the discovery, and police were notified as required by law.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Timothy didn’t attend college and held several jobs throughout his life, including working as a janitor at Harvard, where Chris went to school.
    — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026
Definition of janitor
Noun
  • There is no word on when the search for a new warden will commence.
    — Christopher DeRose, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But to Bill Donnelly, the service’s warden, New Jersey’s fire season, like North America’s, can feel unending.
    — Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of warden
Noun
  • Cohen would later act as Sun’s protector and confidant through the years of the Chinese Revolution.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • No two tales of what happened to Maelor after his knight protector was shot dead agree, but the young boy was also slain on the bridge, perhaps torn apart by the mob who assailed him, arguing over what to do with the young prince.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • Can Carrick turn a good few months as United caretaker into a successful whole season?
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Slot machines only respond to a computer program and the odds of a win are set by the machine’s caretaker, period.
    — Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of caretaker
Noun
  • Sun-protective clothing has long had an audience with swimmers, surfers and young children donning the trusty rash guard, as well as hikers and athletes.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Lamont over the past eight years has displayed visionary leadership and has adhered to Connecticut’s ‘fiscal guard rails’ rules limiting spending growth and directing surplus revenues toward reserves and pension debt.
    — Kevin McNabola, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of guard

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Cite this Entry

“Custodian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custodian. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on custodian

Nglish: Translation of custodian for Spanish Speakers

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