janitor

noun

jan·​i·​tor ˈja-nə-tər 

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 of janitor

• custodian
• keeper
• warden
• caretaker

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

These outsourced workers received markedly lower wages than janitors who worked directly for Harvard. —John Cassidy, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

As university officials weigh how to respond to the professors’ strike, simultaneous negotiations with the UPI chapter representing the university’s support staff, which includes janitors, office administrators and culinary workers, will also be underway. —Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026

This is not your $65,000-a-year job, someone who’s a janitor and is trying to talk in a school board meeting who really could lose his job for this opinion, which is insane. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Nattie takes a job as a janitor at the hospital and finds a refuge in the library, striking up a friendship with the lonely librarian. —Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from janus arch, gate

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

janitor

noun

jan·​i·​tor ˈjan-ət-ər 

1

: doorkeeper

2

: a person who has the care of a building

janitorial

ˌjan-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əl 

-ˈtȯr-

adjective