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

This is Linda Clover, volunteer, curator, and caretaker of the 46-foot-wide creation, who’s met thousands of tourists from all over the world at the ball eager to spin some twine and a story. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

For this reason, healthcare providers and family members or other caretakers are the most likely to contract it. —Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 6 June 2026

This knowledge could help Ötzi’s caretakers keep the body well preserved into the future and enable other researchers to do the same for other frozen biological discoveries. —Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 3 June 2026

Other candidates include Democrats Chris Espinosa, a federal policy advisor; businessman Liam Andres O’Neill Hernandez; physician Sonia Kacker; and Sasan Samadzadeh, a construction inspector and caretaker. —Linh Tat, Daily News, 3 June 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