caregiver

noun

care·​giv·​er ˈker-ˌgi-vər How to pronounce caregiver (audio)
plural caregivers
Synonyms of caregiver
: a person who provides direct care (as for children, elderly people, or the chronically ill)
The care of a patient with Alzheimer's Disease or a related disorder can be a physical, emotional and financial drain on the family caregiver.Diane Duquette Ascioti
Each child was rated by at least one parent. Questionnaires completed by another significant caregiver (teacher or daycare provider) were available on 85% of the sample …Alan E. Kazdin et al.
You probably can imagine the difficulty a caregiver can have getting an immobile patient into a whirlpool.Paul G. Donahue
caregiving noun
… researchers have repeatedly documented the psychiatric and physical health effects of family caregiving. Richard Schulz et al.
Many readers … had their own stories of being treated badly at work because of caregiving duties. Sue Shellenbarger
One of the most significant ways you can help animals, educate yourself about the joys and heartbreaks of caregiving and earn untold psychic rewards is to volunteer at a shelter. Wendy Christensen

Examples of caregiver in a Sentence

When she got sick her husband became her primary caregiver. he could no longer keep up his role as caregiver for his sick wife
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For example, in 2011, the FDA warned parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers not to feed SimplyThick, a thickening gel, to premature infants fitting a particular profile. David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026 If a family can't find a bed in a nursing home or home aid caregiver, then those people may end up stuck in a hospital or in emergency rooms, Woolhandler said. Vanessa Romo, NPR, 2 July 2026 The organization says roughly half of those deaths occur after a parent or caregiver unintentionally leaves a child inside a vehicle. Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 Living in San Fransisco, Glover is surrounded and supported by his daughter, brother Marty, and other caregivers, who are all determined to be there for the acting legend. Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for caregiver

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of caregiver was in 1886

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Caregiver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caregiver. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

caregiver

noun
care·​giv·​er -ˌgiv-ər How to pronounce caregiver (audio)
: a person who provides direct care (as for children, elderly people, or the chronically ill)
parents and other caregivers
caregiving noun

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