custodian

noun

ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-ən How to pronounce custodian (audio)
Definition of custodiannext
1
as in keeper
a person who takes care of a property sometimes for an absent owner the custodian made his usual rounds of the building to make sure that everything was OK

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2
as in guardian
a person or group that watches over someone or something served as custodian of the prisoner until he could be turned over to federal authorities

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3
as in defender
someone that protects we must regard ourselves as custodians of the Earth so that its natural resources may be enjoyed by many generations to come

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of custodian Officers emerged from that coup as the architects of the new state and cast themselves as the custodians of its national interest. — Abdelrahman Elgendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026 The salary raises would go to custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and teachers to help DPS retain staff. — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 3 Oct. 2026 Much like James Bond, the brand's most famous fictional custodian, an Aston Martin is defined by its ability to perform exceptionally while looking entirely unflustered. — New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026 But without custodians, this will cease to be the case in the long term. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for custodian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custodian
  1. keeper
  2. guardian
  3. defender
  4. janitor
  5. warden
  6. protector
  7. caretaker
  8. guard
Noun
  • But on the next drive, his option keeper for a first down and block on Kenneth Walker’s touchdown run proved a strong response.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Jones flashed his decisiveness and speed on the ensuing play, gaining 14 yards on a quarterback keeper.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • Officials said that parents and guardians may want to consider requesting a free credit freeze for their children who are under 16 to help prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened in the names of their children.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • ChatGPT is intended for users age 13 and older, and users under 18 need permission from a parent or guardian to use it, OpenAI said.
    — Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of guardian
Noun
  • At one point, Baugh had to leave the game when a Texas defender slammed him to the ground and knocked the wind out of him.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Suarez fought off an Atlanta defender to reach the ball in the box and flicked a lofted cross toward Berterame.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • Elbert said an airport janitor finally grabbed the bird with her shirt.
    — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • May Rosenberg, the wife of the critic Harold Rosenberg, once visited Krasner’s studio and assumed that the man hanging around in dungarees, not saying much of anything, was an intellectually disabled janitor.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of janitor
Noun
  • Hosfelt was among nine staff members, including the former warden, arrested in June 2024 and charged with felonies in connection with deaths at the prison.
    — Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Luckily — or maybe unluckily — the camp’s warden, a hardbitten guy with an oily smile named Clancy (Russell Crowe, hardbitten, smiley, and oily), takes a liking to Murphy.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of warden
Noun
  • Veteran David Quessenberry, a ninth-year pro who last started a game in 2023, will start in place of Jackson as quarterback Matthew Stafford’s blindside protector.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For assets under custody, BNY acts as a protector with administrative responsibilities.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • Friends, who became his primary caretaker, said jazz remained a constant presence.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Police said a 37-year-old woman who worked as a caretaker died in the Thursday morning attack at the school in Leszczydol-Nowiny, northeast of Warsaw.
    — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of caretaker
Noun
  • The Hurricanes were missing a starting offensive lineman as right guard Max Buchanan is out for the foreseeable future with an injury.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Officials reviewed the play for a possible hostile act by Howard, but assessed no foul on the Atlanta guard.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of guard

Browse Nearby Words

cusswords
custodian
custodians
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Cite this Entry

“Custodian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custodian. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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