custodian

noun

cus·​to·​di·​an ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-ən 

: one that guards and protects or maintains

especially : one entrusted with guarding and keeping property or records or with custody or guardianship of prisoners or inmates

custodianship

ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-ən-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• caretaker
• guardian
• janitor
• keeper
• warden
• watchman

Examples of custodian in a Sentence

the custodian made his usual rounds of the building to make sure that everything was OK

served as custodian of the prisoner until he could be turned over to federal authorities

Recent Examples on the Web

This poses a serious challenge to the custodians of the existing system of national security policymaking: the uniformed military and the civil service that make up the vast majority of people tasked with overseeing any president’s agenda. —Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024

The screenplay by Tom DeNucci (Vault) follows Rickey, a high school custodian whose world is rocked when his girlfriend, Kelly, is selected to play hockey for Team USA and compete in the World Games, thus leaving him behind. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2024

If a teletherapy vendor is the sole custodian of counseling records, then there are important questions to consider. —Eric Wood, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

Being recognized as a child's legal custodian or guardian is costly and difficult, so having access to legal help can be extremely important. —Kimanzi Constable, Parents, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

custodian

noun

cus·​to·​di·​an ˌkəs-ˈtōd-ē-ən 

1

: someone who guards and protects or takes care of something for another person

2

: someone who cleans and takes care of a building : janitor sense 2

Legal Definition

custodian

noun

cus·​to·​di·​an

: an individual entrusted with guarding and keeping property or having custody of a person: as

a

: the warden of a prison

b

: a person given custody of a child by court order

c

: a person named to manage a child's property under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act

d

: a person or entity appointed by a bankruptcy court to take charge of the debtor's property for purposes of administration

custodianship noun