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

Crimson was sent to the Oakland Zoo, where caretakers bottle-fed him around the clock. — Jasmine Mendez follow, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

White works for the state as an in-home caretaker for elderly and disabled clients. — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Jose Mourinho returns to the Bernabeu thirteen years after his first spell ended, appointed to end a two-season trophy drought that cost Xabi Alonso his job in January and left Álvaro Arbeloa’s caretaker spell without a single piece of silverware. — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

The son of a nurse and school caretaker, the values instilled in him by his parents and older brother were crucial to building a strong work ethic. — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 18 Aug. 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