custodian

noun

cus·​to·​di·​an ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-ən How to pronounce custodian (audio)
: one that guards and protects or maintains
especially : one entrusted with guarding and keeping property or records or with custody or guardianship of prisoners or inmates
custodianship noun

Examples of custodian in a Sentence

the custodian made his usual rounds of the building to make sure that everything was OK served as custodian of the prisoner until he could be turned over to federal authorities
Recent Examples on the Web The victim, a man in his 50s, was working as a custodian and left his vehicle idling near a Dumpster on the 700 block of Page Mill Road 5:51 a.m. Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 Local 99 members include custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, teacher aides and security aides. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 After a brief stint as a lifeguard, working for Chief Timmy Dorsey in Seal Beach, Steve became the custodian of Surfside. Corky Carroll, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 This piece, along with others in the show, underscores the museum's role not just as a custodian of culture but as a space for recreation, entertainment, and critical reflection. Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The custodians, the teachers, the workers, the maids, the bus drivers and not to mention the Black veterans. C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2024 The significance of this ensemble is underscored as all participants were spotlighted on Billboard’s list of 15 Artists Keeping the Tropical Genre Alive, heralding them as custodians of salsa’s vibrant future. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Feb. 2024 Subsequent custodians included Brazilian entrepreneur Carlos Monteverde, and British racer David Vine. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 15 Feb. 2024 Standing in the front sculpture gallery was the loft’s resident sculptor, painter, Zen garden custodian and leaseholder: Hanna Eshel. Alex Traub, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'custodian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of custodian was in 1602

Dictionary Entries Near custodian

Cite this Entry

“Custodian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/custodian. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

custodian

noun
cus·​to·​di·​an ˌkəs-ˈtōd-ē-ən How to pronounce custodian (audio)
1
: someone who guards and protects or takes care of something for another person
2
: someone who cleans and takes care of a building : janitor sense 2

Legal Definition

custodian

noun
cus·​to·​di·​an
: an individual entrusted with guarding and keeping property or having custody of a person: as
a
: the warden of a prison
b
: a person given custody of a child by court order
c
: a person named to manage a child's property under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act
d
: a person or entity appointed by a bankruptcy court to take charge of the debtor's property for purposes of administration
custodianship noun

More from Merriam-Webster on custodian

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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