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

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

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

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 • Mar. 30, 2026

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 • Mar. 27, 2026

Since Callejas’ deportation, the children have been with a caretaker, and a judge has allowed their father more time with them, according to lawyers for both parents.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

We disembarked in Zakopane and were met by Karl, my grandmother’s caretaker, driver, and sometime model.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

Related Words

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