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 Akeem Pierre, 42, was charged in municipal court in Dorchester Thursday with animal cruelty and animal cruelty by a custodian. Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025 But cities tend to be where people go out looking for birds, trying to find them before the rats get them, or before custodians sweep them away. NPR, 17 Oct. 2025 The Best Picture winner features Sally Hawkins as Elise, a mute custodian who works in a secret government facility that’s currently housing a strange fish creature (Doug Jones) who’s being studied by scientists and the military. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025 Mark Glende, Rosemount, is an elementary school custodian. Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for custodian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custodian
Noun
  • The team’s first four 2025 draft picks look like keepers.
    Zac Jackson, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Orangutans sometimes spend weeks finding the necessary materials (wires, bolts, screws), hiding their elaborate preparations from their keepers, and awaiting the perfect moment to execute their plans.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The United States has traditionally acted as the guardian of this system.
    John Kerry, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Kids aged 7 to 18 can also walk in for the shot without a prescription, as long as a parent or guardian gives consent and talks it over with the pharmacist.
    Evan Moore November 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The Heat’s new-look offense relies on players getting by their defender and into the paint without the help of a screen.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Scott’s play speed jumped off the tape as a downhill defender, especially when the Hurricanes brought him as a blitzer.
    Dane Brugler, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The same workers who keep this country running every single day—home care aides, teachers, bus drivers and janitors who can’t afford to get sick.
    Linda Goler Blount, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
  • In Indiana, a church hired a janitor convicted of molesting a 7-year-old girl.
    Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Forest wardens walk into Kyebi Forest Reserve in the East Akim Municipal district in Ghana.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Falco is introduced to the world Kingstown as Nina Hobbs, the new warden running the prison where Kyle will be sent to.
    Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Anthony Edwards has been bothered in the past by good perimeter defenders backed by quality rim protectors.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Those with Eight Sleep smart bed tech found their heated protectors weren't able to change temperature due to the outage.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Morelli is a husband and father with a 9-year-old daughter and the sole caretaker of his 79-year-old mother, per the memo from Joslin, who requested a sentence of 27-33 months.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Her caretakers were identified as Enrique Junior Navedo, 43, and Loy Lynn La Pierre, 58.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Atlanta played much better in a 1-point loss to the Patriots on the road last Sunday, but there are major concerns on the O-line after starting guards Matthew Bergeron and Chris Lindstrom had to leave the Pats game early.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The last time San Diego State opened a men’s basketball season against Long Beach State, in 2010, Kawhi Leonard and the Aztecs trailed by one deep into the second half and needed three 3s by backup guard James Rahon to grind out a nervy road win.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Custodian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custodian. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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