caretaker

[ kair-tey-ker ]

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.

adjective

1. involving the temporary performance of the duties of an office:

   a caretaker government.

caretaker

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈcareˌtaking, noun

Other Words From

• caretaking noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of caretaker¹

First recorded in 1855–60; care + take ( def ) + -er ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Amazon has also opted for the theme of kindness, telling the story of a theatre caretaker whose hidden singing talent is discovered by his colleagues.

From BBC

Van Nistelrooy, who joined United as an assistant coach in July on a two-year deal, managed three victories and a draw in his four games during his time as caretaker boss.

From BBC

He first went to Gabo Island two years ago, and dreamed of eventually being its caretaker.

From BBC

By then Mabel was the caretaker of "the English church", a Church of England church originally established because of the trade links between the city and the UK.

From BBC

For the last four months we have pretty much had a shadow shadow cabinet, a team bodged together by Rishi Sunak in the aftermath of defeat with the job of being caretakers until this moment.

From BBC

Related Words

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