caretaker

[kair-tey-ker]

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.

adjective

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

   a caretaker government.

caretaker

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• caretaking noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of caretaker¹

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

Example Sentences

Maiava, of course, has been more than just a mere caretaker.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"We just keep going, keep going, keep going," midfielder McGregor told Sky Sports of a Celtic side still under the caretaker charge of Martin O'Neill following the resignation of former manager Brendan Rodgers.

Read more on Barron's

Daily Mail and General Trust said it is completing terms with RedBird IMI, the caretaker owner of the newspaper, for a transaction worth £500 million, or about $655 million.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Max Kennedy told me that when the monument was unveiled in 2010, it was the most beautiful memorial he’d ever seen, and the Los Angeles Unified School District promised to be its caretaker.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As a result, their caretakers and fellow creatures give them a wide berth, which only makes them more lonely, mistrustful, and snappish than before.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

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