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

The fact that he’s the primary caretaker of his two young children made the comments all the more disturbing, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

United opted to go with a caretaker boss to give them time for a comprehensive search for a permanent success to Amorim.

From Barron's

His vision relies on Tesla selling Optimus for industrial purposes, such as working on assembly lines, as well as to the general public for use as caretakers, teachers and even security guards.

From MarketWatch

He enlists the help of a girl and her robot caretaker to try to get back.

From The Wall Street Journal

Wayne Rooney says caretaker head coach Michael Carrick is the "right choice at this moment in time" to "steady the ship" at Manchester United.

From BBC

Related Words

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