doorkeeper

[ dawr-kee-per, dohr- ]

noun

1. a person who guards the entrance of a building.
2. British. a janitor; hall porter.
3. Roman Catholic Church. ostiary ( def 1 ).

doorkeeper

/ ˈdɔːˌkiːpə /

noun

1. a person attending or guarding a door or gateway
2. RC Church (formerly) the lowest grade of holy orders

Word History and Origins

Origin of doorkeeper¹

First recorded in 1525–35; door + keeper

Example Sentences

Juggling those multiple criteria would present a major challenge for immigration officials, airline check-in counters and other doorkeepers.

From Time

The Senate post is officially called the sergeant-at-arms and doorkeeper, harking back to its 18th-century duties of keeping members inside the Capitol to conduct the business of government.

From Washington Post

His lordship, as we know, was away, and on his return questioned the doorkeeper as to the name of his visitor.

From Project Gutenberg

The doorkeeper answered in a very discourteous way that it was none of his business where the senators were.

From Project Gutenberg

He soon brought him to the stranger, who then gave his card to the doorkeeper and asked him to call at his hotel that evening.

From Project Gutenberg

I scared up a doorkeeper and was ready at the proper time, and by pure good luck a tolerably good house assembled and I was saved.

From Project Gutenberg

And a moment later the two associates were talking earnestly near the doorkeeper's lodge.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• attendant
• custodian
• sitter
• superintendent