Definition of custodiannext
1
as in keeper
a person who takes care of a property sometimes for an absent owner the custodian made his usual rounds of the building to make sure that everything was OK

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2
as in guardian
a person or group that watches over someone or something served as custodian of the prisoner until he could be turned over to federal authorities

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3
as in defender
someone that protects we must regard ourselves as custodians of the Earth so that its natural resources may be enjoyed by many generations to come

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of custodian The custodian of the maison’s some 20,000 documents, fragments, and objects is the effervescent Sophie Rouart, who indulged me in pulling any style of my choosing. Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026 Today, legitimacy, that invisible prop of authority, is endangered like never before, as unjust hierarchies become too visible to ignore, and custodians of the status quo have taken an axe to their own prestige. Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 Their beloved custodian Van Hua Le was suffering serious health issues, leaving him out of work for weeks without pay. Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026 The James family plans to travel to K’gari in the coming weeks to attend a smoking ceremony as guests of the island’s traditional custodians. Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for custodian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custodian
Noun
  • For now, keepers are focused on giving mother and calf time to bond while closely monitoring the newborn’s progress.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
  • While Porter scrambled back into position, Hutchinson got to the loose ball first and clipped his finish past the keeper.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In addition, Wilmette police could cite parents or guardians for allowing their children under 16 to ride a faster e-bike or e-scooter.
    Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Since so many have fur babies, don’t forget to name a guardian for your pet and leave money to pay for its care in your will or through a pet trust, experts said.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Sending Schroder and Ellis to Cleveland in exchange for Hunter alleviates the logjam in the backcourt while adding size, length and another versatile defender to the frontcourt alongside Keegan Murray.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 1 Feb. 2026
  • No extra defender to erase mistakes.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • One of the most powerful donations came from a Black janitor named James Tillman, who donated his entire life savings of $1,000.
    Ernest Crim III, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Poorsaleh said neither is a student in the Chula Vista Elementary School District where the janitor worked part-time.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • On January 20th, Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff toured the facility and spoke with the warden as part of an oversight visit.
    Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
  • In it, the warden confirmed lights are on 24/7.
    Mirella Brussani, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Fascist regimes are also typically organized around a charismatic leader—and form social and political cultures centered on that leader, who is taken to be the violent and powerful protector of the nation.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Some screen protectors can also dampen whatever color benefits CoE tech produces.
    Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In the spring, Rusty took leave from his consulting job to be his wife's full-time caretaker.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Anyone who has interacted with these professionals, whether as a patient, caretaker or colleague, can testify to the incredible skill and expertise their work requires – expertise that comes from extensive education and training.
    Christopher O’Connor, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The Los Angeles Clippers are trading veteran guard James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers, per ESPN.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Many of those reports mention a possible trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, swapping Harden in exchange for guard Darius Garland.
    Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Custodian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custodian. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

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