custodian

noun

cus·​to·​di·​an ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-ən 

: one that guards and protects or maintains

especially : one entrusted with guarding and keeping property or records or with custody or guardianship of prisoners or inmates

custodianship

ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-ən-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms of custodian

• keeper
• janitor
• warden
• caretaker
• guardian

Examples of custodian in a Sentence

the custodian made his usual rounds of the building to make sure that everything was OK

served as custodian of the prisoner until he could be turned over to federal authorities

Recent Examples on the Web

Authorities say Borg worked for two years as a custodian for AUSD, but lost his job in 2024 amid a conflict with another employee. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 21 July 2026

Those jobs belong to a separate custodian, who manages the retirement account paperwork, and a depository, who keeps the metals secure. — USA Today, 21 July 2026

While the Black Eyed Peas were still finding their footing in the music world in the early ‘90s, rapper Taboo — real name Jaime Luis Gomez — worked as a custodian at Disneyland to provide for his son. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

Even a band like Opeth, unwavering custodians of 21st-century prog, hardly share much in common with other metal bands representing this style. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for custodian

• cambodian
• collodion
• nickelodeon

Kids Definition

custodian

noun

cus·​to·​di·​an ˌkəs-ˈtōd-ē-ən 

1

: someone who guards and protects or takes care of something for another person

2

: someone who cleans and takes care of a building : janitor sense 2

Legal Definition

custodian

noun

cus·​to·​di·​an

: an individual entrusted with guarding and keeping property or having custody of a person: as

a

: the warden of a prison

b

: a person given custody of a child by court order

c

: a person named to manage a child's property under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act

d

: a person or entity appointed by a bankruptcy court to take charge of the debtor's property for purposes of administration

custodianship noun