caregiver

noun

care·​giv·​er ˈker-ˌgi-vər 

plural caregivers

: 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

ˈker-ˌgi-viŋ 

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

Synonyms of caregiver

• caretaker
• guardian
• nanny
• nurse

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

Becoming a caregiver is something that many stumble into rather than plan for, experts say. —Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026

Recognizing the signs of burnout Swinton said recognizing the signs of caregiver burnout in yourself is key. —Janay Reece, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026

In this model, policymakers adjust course—sometimes modestly, sometimes not at all—while workers, small-business owners, jobseekers, and caregivers are expected to weather the turbulence. —Gene Ludwig, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026

The portraits include her neighbor’s caregiver, grocery store and café workers, an artist, an author and a small business owner. —Diana Argabrite, Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for caregiver

• deliver
• downriver
• lawgiver
• upriver
• giver
• liver
• livre
• quiver
• river
• shiver
• sliver

Medical Definition

caregiver

noun

care·​giv·​er -ˌgiv-ər 

: a person who provides direct care (as for children, elderly people, or the chronically ill)

parents and other caregivers

caregiving

-iŋ 

noun