janitor

noun

jan·i·tor | \ ˈja-nə-tər

Definition of janitor

1 : one who keeps the premises of a building (such as an apartment or office) clean, tends the heating system, and makes minor repairs

2 : doorkeeper

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About janitor

Examples of janitor in a Sentence

got a job as the night janitor at the elementary school according to popular Christian tradition, St. Peter acts as janitor at heaven's pearly gates

Recent Examples on the Web At the time, Poitier was working as a janitor in exchange for acting classes and Harry was a stagehand. — Alexia Fernández, PEOPLE.com, 7 Jan. 2022 The show chronicles the life of Beth Harmon, who loses her mother at a young age and is sent to live in an orphanage, where learning to play chess from the surly janitor in the basement is the only bright spot in her life. — The Editors, Outside Online, 7 Dec. 2020 Leonid Chernenko, a janitor at School No. 3, came back to work on April 10 to check what the Russians had stolen. — Time, 14 Apr. 2022 The portal to the multiverse is a janitor’s closet down the hall from Deirdre’s desk. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2022 The fire was discovered overnight, when a janitor at the hospital noticed flames on the third floor. — Claire Rafford, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Mar. 2022 The woman took the knife and threw it into the janitor cart outside. — Meredith Colias-pete, chicagotribune.com, 16 Mar. 2022 On the March 5 episode, one of the actor’s characters was Michael, a school janitor with an unexpected hobby. — Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2022 Kenny grew up in Lansing, Mich., son of a janitor father and payroll clerk mother, both employed by the public school. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'janitor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.