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

Then one early morning Melanie and Eva spot Elwood’s sister-in-law and caretaker, June, digging in his beloved rose garden. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026

Xiarhos says this time around feels different because of a special new Massachusetts vanity license plate that benefits K-9s and their caretakers. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026

The court found that the man, who has significant cognitive impairments, appeared to have consented to removal without understanding the process and without his caretakers being notified, according to court documents reviewed by Newsweek. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026

That, Gupta suggested, might depend on those trees’ caretakers. —Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 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