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

Earlier in the awards cycle, some pundits wondered if Byrne’s prickly performance as the struggling caretaker of an ill child—prone to workplace crashouts during the day and evenings spent mainlining weed and wine after putting her daughter to bed—would even get nominated. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 13 Mar. 2026

My mother was a freewheeling rebel who was far from being a caretaker. —Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026

Tony Saxon, who also worked as Ye’s security guard and caretaker at the Malibu property, sued the rapper in Los Angeles Superior Court in September 2023, claiming a slate of labor violations, nonpayment of services and disability discrimination. —Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026

Her candidacy, endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union, has focused on her working-class roots and role as a caretaker for a disabled sister. —Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 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