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

Friends, who became his primary caretaker, said jazz remained a constant presence. — Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026

Police said a 37-year-old woman who worked as a caretaker died in the Thursday morning attack at the school in Leszczydol-Nowiny, northeast of Warsaw. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Her two children were both addicted to opioids; DeWees had been the primary caretaker for seven of her grandchildren, and legally adopted three of them. — Oliver Whang, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2026

Joey Pollari plays a hospice caretaker with triskaidekaphobia who ends up working at a building called the Apollyon, which happens to house characters from past seasons of AHS. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 6 Oct. 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