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Synonyms

custodian

American  
[kuh-stoh-dee-uhn] / kʌˈstoʊ di ən /

noun

  1. a person who has custody; keeper; guardian.

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


custodian British  
/ kʌsˈtəʊdɪən /

noun

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

  2. 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

Other Word Forms

  • custodianship noun

Etymology

Origin of custodian

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

Compare meaning

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The company, for example, called the separation of the roles of broker, exchange, and custodian into different firms a “a legacy of a paper-based system” unnecessary in the tokenized universe.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

I’m just that current custodian looking after them for future generations,’ ” Walker said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

Few institutions embody France’s cultural inheritance as fully as the Louvre, whose galleries trace the arc of civilizations while reflecting the French state’s centuries-old role as custodian of artistic treasure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

If a company has a solid grasp of IRS rules and works with a trustworthy custodian to manage its plans, this additional feature may not be as cumbersome as it could be for others.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 2026

In his more than a score of years as custodian of the sanctuary there, Maurice Broun has observed and actually tabulated more hawks and eagles than any other American.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson