caretaker

noun

care·​tak·​er ˈker-ˌtā-kər 

1

: one that gives physical or emotional care and support

served as caretaker to the younger children

2

: one that takes care of the house or land of an owner who may be absent

3

: one temporarily fulfilling the function of office

a caretaker government

caretake

ˈker-ˌtāk 

verb

caretaking

ˈker-ˌtā-kiŋ 

noun

Synonyms of caretaker

• custodian
• keeper
• janitor
• warden
• guardian

Examples of caretaker in a Sentence

We have a caretaker who watches the place for us while we are away.

hired a caretaker for the mansion during the winter months

Recent Examples on the Web

After spending her childhood as a caretaker for her mentally unwell mother, Annie perseveres, getting to her third year of medical school before a mental breakdown forces her to withdraw. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026

Here, human caretakers will put them on a weight-gaining diet so they can be released in tip-top condition in a year. —Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026

Bulgaria appoints caretaker government SOFIA, Bulgaria -- Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova on Wednesday appointed a caretaker government ahead of another round of parliamentary elections in April in a bid to stave off the country's political instability and economic woes. —Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026

The new caretaker premier will be supported by a cabinet of experts in his main tasks of ensuring fair and transparent elections and restoring public trust in institutions, which has been eroded by political uncertainty. —ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for caretaker

• automaker
• boilermaker
• cabinetmaker
• coffeemaker
• troublemaker
• undertaker
• blackacre
• clockmaker
• dressmaker
• filmmaker
• homemaker
• icebreaker

Kids Definition

caretaker

noun

care·​tak·​er ˈke(ə)r-ˌtā-kər 

ˈka(ə)r-

: one that takes care of buildings or land often for an absent owner