caretaker

American  

[kair-tey-ker] / ˈkɛərˌteɪ kər /

noun

1. a person who is in charge of the maintenance of a building, estate, etc.; superintendent.

2. a person or group that temporarily performs the duties of an office.

3. British. a janitor.

4. a person who takes care of another.

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adjective

1. involving the temporary performance of the duties of an office.

   a caretaker government.

caretaker British  

/ ˈkɛəˌteɪkə /

noun

1. a person who is in charge of a place or thing, esp in the owner's absence

   the caretaker of a school

2. (modifier) holding office temporarily; interim

   a caretaker government

3. social welfare a person who takes care of a vulnerable person, often a close relative See also carer

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Other Word Forms

• caretaking noun

Etymology

Origin of caretaker

First recorded in 1855–60; care + take ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Wilcox was choosing to reinforce a point that just because Amorim had been sacked and a caretaker boss was being sought, it did not mean the season was being written off.

From BBC

“I saw him as the caretaker and it was sort of this romantic thing,” says Burden.

From Los Angeles Times

Being a child or caretaker, or holding power of attorney, does not make it ethical or lawful to transfer property into one’s own name.

From MarketWatch

Ryan Mason, who was sacked by West Bromwich Albion in January, has been a two-time caretaker at Spurs and is available.

From BBC

Sushila Karki, 73, a former chief justice who had led the caretaker administration for six months, said the country's future lay in the hands of a younger generation.

From Barron's

Related Words

• curator
• custodian
• janitor
• keeper
• sitter
• superintendent
• supervisor
• warden