custodian

[ kuh-stoh-dee-uh n ]

/ kʌˈstoʊ di ən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR custodian ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who has custody; keeper; guardian.

a person entrusted with guarding or maintaining a property; janitor.

Nearby words

Origin of custodian

1775–85; < Latin custōdi(a) watchman (see custody) + -an

Related formscus·to·di·an·ship, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for custodian

She described arriving at school and hearing shots and seeing the principal and the custodian lying dead.
The First Modern School Shooter Feels Responsible for the Rest|Michael Daly|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Both girls had witnessed the death of the principal and the custodian.
The First Modern School Shooter Feels Responsible for the Rest|Michael Daly|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For his granddaughter, being a custodian of his legacy is a matter a pride—but also a burden.
The Price of Being a Patton: Wrestling With the Legacy of America’s Most Famous General|Tim Teeman|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Where was the due diligence the IRS is, by law, responsible for when it appointed Madoff a custodian?
The Bag Lady Papers, Part VII|Alexandra Penney|May 7, 2009|DAILY BEAST

Carlile had no secrets of his own, but was the custodian of many of other people's.
The Battle of The Press|Theophila Carlile Campbell
They say it is very precious, and a custodian stood by and tenderly turned the leaves for me.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Volume 7|Elbert Hubbard
It was customary for me to question the custodian of hats in this manner: "Is this my hat?"
On a Donkey's Hurricane Deck|R. Pitcher Woodward
Pulling out a handful of loose change to pay the custodian, the stranger glanced first at his hand, then back at the painting.
Vistas in Sicily|Arthur Stanley Riggs
My dooty was to stay by the door and make it fast, as custodian of all this mansion.
Erema|R. D. Blackmore

British Dictionary definitions for custodian

custodian

/ (kʌsˈtəʊdɪən) /

noun

a person who has custody, as of a prisoner, ward, etc

a guardian or keeper, as of an art collection, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for custodian

custodian

1781, from custody (Latin custodia) + -an. As "janitor," by 1944, American English, short for custodian-janitor (by 1899).

custodian

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of custodian

Examples from the Web for custodian

British Dictionary definitions for custodian

custodian

noun

Word Origin and History for custodian

custodian