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 Even the county custodian is rumored to make six figures. Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025 Law enforcement are exempt from the law, as well as custodians, maintenance workers, and those providing medical assistance. Abby Monteil, Them., 23 Sep. 2025 Egan quizzed the custodian on the relationship. Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025 He was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center after the custodian reported the attack to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for custodian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custodian
Noun
  • In the first half, a Roldan shot from distance had Aussie keeper Mathew Ryan beat, but went just wide.
    Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Senior Zookeeper Allison Jungheim, who serves on the alliance’s management group as well as the polar bear program leader and studbook keeper for all polar bears in North America, says there are 56 polar bears in human care in North America, with 37 of them in the United States.
    Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Audience members must be at least 12 years old; anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
  • According to The Cut, on top of paying for the unit, Williams's estate is responsible for the guardianship lawyer fees, paying her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey’s fees and her lawyer fees, who is on retainer at $10,000 a month.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Taylor – who scored three touchdowns – was regularly easing past defenders, including going untouched into the end zone.
    Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
  • On one rush in the second half, Maye tried to take on a defender instead of sliding, got thrown to the ground and concussion spotters took him off the field for an evaluation.
    Devon Henderson, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In Season 1, Gillory was a janitor at the LAPD but become a full-time consultant after solving a murder case and impressing everyone with her IQ of 160.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Low-wage service workers, including cleaners, janitors, security guards, cafeteria workers and other staffers who keep buildings operating, are often out of luck.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Clermont County Animal Shelter took possession of the animals after they were recovered by the wardens.
    Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Even after the state Supreme Court ordered her release, Bailey’s office told the prison warden to ignore the court’s order.
    Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Ed Williams, the onetime broadcasting teacher who portrayed Ted Olson, the earnest lab scientist with a pocket protector and a kinky side, on the Police Squad!
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Robinson, 27, has always been an energetic rebounder and rim protector.
    Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But Posey is seeking a strong personality, not a dugout caretaker.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Three years ago, Lola was found brutally murdered in the trunk of a car outside the apartment building where her mother and father — Delphine and Johan Daviet — worked as caretakers.
    Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Many of those will turn over to Porter, as well as fellow guard Ryan Rollins.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The 6-foot-2 guard is entering his second season with the Kings after his rookie campaign was cut short due to a shoulder injury.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Custodian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custodian. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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