custodian
UK: kʌˈstəʊ.di.ən | US: kʌˈstoʊ.di.ən
n. a person responsible for the care or maintenance of something (e.g., a building, collection, or rights)
n. (legal) a guardian or trustee appointed to manage assets or interests
custodian = custod<guard> + ian<person who>
- custod (from Latin custos, meaning "guard" or "protector")
- ian (suffix denoting "person associated with," from Latin -ianus)
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin custodia ("protection"), derived from custos ("guardian"). The suffix -ian was later added in English to form "custodian," literally "one who guards." The term evolved from literal guardianship (e.g., of property) to broader roles like managing assets or collections.
The museum’s custodian ensures the artifacts are preserved.
As a legal custodian, she manages the trust fund for her niece.
The school custodian locks the classrooms every evening.
He was appointed custodian of the family estate.
The custodian reported a leak in the building’s basement.