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

At the time of the killings, he had been caretaker at Soham Village College, the local state secondary school.

From BBC

"These are not privileges," insisted the head of the ICRC, which is the caretaker of the Geneva Conventions.

From Barron's

Her grandmother, Iryna, lived with the family and was an important caretaker for much of her childhood.

From Los Angeles Times

Because he traveled often to lecture, Greeley needed caretakers for his New York City townhouse.

From Literature

Michael Carrick is certainly enjoying life as Manchester United caretaker head coach.

From BBC

Related Words

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