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caregiver

American  
[kair-giv-er] / ˈkɛərˌgɪv ər /

noun

  1. a person who cares for someone who is sick or disabled.

  2. an adult who cares for an infant or child.

caregiver British  
/ ˈkɛəˌɡɪvə /

noun

  1. Also called: carer.  a person who has accepted responsibility for looking after a vulnerable neighbour or relative

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of caregiver

First recorded in 1980–85; care + giver ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Children are sponges and they learn best from face-to-face time with a key caregiver - a parent, a teacher."

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

The findings have important implications for pediatric medicine, public health policy, and caregiver education.

From Science Daily • Mar. 15, 2026

“Making time to join a caregiver support group is essential for preserving your health and your sanity,” Smith added.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026

Barrios makes $19 an hour as an in-home caregiver to other clients in Los Angeles County.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

Though the cubs grow to become larger than their caregiver, and far more dangerous, they never give their mother trouble and she never loses her placid behaviour or her sense of authority over her litter.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.