custodian

noun

ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-ən How to pronounce custodian (audio)
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 Spieker was the founder and former Chairman and CEO of Spieker Properties, one of America’s largest commercial-property companies, and is the car’s current custodian. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 10 July 2026 So, any change in custodians will not change the qualification status of your IRA account. — Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026 The deals, reached to avert a strike in April, promised double-digit raises to teachers, aides, custodians and other workers. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 For retirement accounts, Money Metals partners with third-party custodians and operates its own storage facility. — Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for custodian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custodian
  1. keeper
  2. guardian
  3. defender
  4. janitor
  5. warden
  6. protector
  7. caretaker
  8. guard
Noun
  • The critical moment took place before that, when the taker didn’t accurately perceive or interpret the movements of the ’keeper.
    — Geir Jordet, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • But the White Sox drafted a keeper that year in Hall of Famer Harold Baines.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • All of these titles were chosen based on parental and guardians’ reports of the subjects’ favorite programs.
    — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
  • The family had been living on Shikoku island in Japan – a country where, until a law change this April, only one parent could be considered a child’s legal guardian after divorce.
    — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
Definition of guardian
Noun
  • Norway’s Andreas Schjelderup chipped the ball toward the goal from the left side, and Haaland leaped, swung his neck and headed it into the net, outjumping Brazil’s 6-foot-3 defender Gabriel Magalhães, his Premier League nemesis.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026
  • Before Mbappe scored his penalty, Gustavo Velazquez, the Paraguayan defender, scuffed the penalty spot, another underhanded attempt to disturb the tournament favourites.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • The janitor of the school is more important than the principal.
    — Mac Engel June 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026
  • Broadwater, then 20, had grown up as one of six children of a janitor who worked for Syracuse University.
    — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026
Definition of janitor
Noun
  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department — Game wardens, rescue boat teams and helicopters with hoist capability to assist with water rescues.
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 14 July 2026
  • Exceptions include their use by police officers or animal wardens in an official capacity, at an archery club or paintball gun club, at a public or private range designed for that purpose, or to protect human life or property.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
Definition of warden
Noun
  • The Wolves have one of the NBA’s best rim protectors (Rudy Gobert).
    — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Several times each year, His Holiness requests guidance from Kuten La, who in his role as State Oracle serves as mouthpiece for Nechung, an ancient deity and Tibet’s spiritual protector.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • The lingering air pollution has proved to be a challenge for some caretakers to care for their stock.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
  • He was trusted with the most intimate emotional labor in his family; trusted to be the caretaker, the one who looked out.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Definition of caretaker
Noun
  • Former Houston standout guard Kingston Flemings hit a deep jumper — his toe was ruled on the 3-point line — with three seconds left in OT, slicing Utah’s lead to one, 100-99.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026
  • Tempers flared late in the fourth quarter when Kings center Dylan Cardwell and Nets guard Egor Demin wrestled for a loose ball.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of guard

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Cite this Entry

“Custodian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custodian. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on custodian

Nglish: Translation of custodian for Spanish Speakers

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