custodians

plural of custodian
1
as in keepers
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
3
as in defenders
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 custodians Starting in 2011, the IRS required brokers and custodians to report cost-basis and holding-period information for stock and mutual fund investors on Form 1099-B. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 Best for higher net-worth investors Augusta Precious Metals sells gold and silver directly, and also works with third-party custodians to manage your IRA. Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 31 July 2026 Not that there is a Green Church to worship in now; satellite images show that it has been destroyed by its new custodians, wiped from the map like Artsakh itself. Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 While custodians often calculate RMDs, taxpayers should verify these amounts, as errors can still lead to IRS penalties. Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Even a band like Opeth, unwavering custodians of 21st-century prog, hardly share much in common with other metal bands representing this style. Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026 The union represents over 250,000 classified public school employees, like bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, para-educators, clerical staff and campus security guards. Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 15 July 2026 Women, with their tender relational instincts, became seen as the custodians of the institution’s most precious and elevated forms. Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 13 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custodians
Noun
  • The exhibition highlights artworks and historical artifacts donated to the museum, celebrating the generosity of regional artists, collectors and keepers of history.
    Debby Rice, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • Contrary to a popular myth, bees are indifferent to their keepers.
    Richard Schiffman, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • The companies best positioned for this next phase of adoption will be the ones best integrating human-in and human-on the loop systems in tandem with agentic guardians—the ones who can explain, demonstrate and document their processes effectively.
    Larry Bradley, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • An unusual search is underway in Charlotte for the guardians of a 15-year-old who says he was abandoned at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • On today's episode of Tech Camp, co-hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber chase the rapid evolution of cybersecurity, which has led to an arms race between hackers and defenders.
    Emily Kwong, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Lee said that tracks with Simmons’ ability to read coverages and anticipate where defenders are.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Landon built relationships with the janitors and grounds crew, always stopping to chat.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 10 July 2026
  • Some hospital staff, like janitors and cafeteria workers, still make minimum wage.
    Cassie McGrath, Fortune, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • However, last year’s team featured a nauseating number of guards, so these Bulls boast a crowded frontcourt and aren’t in dire need of Mathurin’s skill set.
    Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Currently, state law restricts open carry of firearms only in public buildings with security measures like metal detectors and guards.
    Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • The Jets drafted Armand Membou to be one of their quarterback’s protectors.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • This $10 option comes with three privacy glass screen protectors that will shield your screen from damage and prying eyes at the same time.
    Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Strong new work presents legacy musicians as active artists relevant to a new generation of listeners, rather than as caretakers of famous music libraries.
    David Deal, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Birdie gets together with Povich’s son’s three dogs and the grounds’ caretakers’ three dogs.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • The encounter fortunately ended without anyone being injured, but Parks Canada wardens were able to identify the hikers after the video was posted online and racked up millions of views.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Custodians.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custodians. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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