custodian
/kʌˈstəʊdiən/ (bre, ipa) · /kʌˈstəʊdiən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-ən/ (ame, mw)
custodian — noun
- custodiansingular
- custodiansplural
1. a person who is in charge of looking after something valuable or important so th
a person who is in charge of looking after something valuable or important so that it stays safe and in good condition
Beatriz works as the custodian of the museum's ancient coin collection.
custodian of + [collection/property]
The library appointed Theo as the custodian of its rare manuscripts last spring.
appointed [name] as the custodian of
Mayumi became the custodian of her grandmother's ring and locked it inside a small safe.
Banks often act as custodians of important legal documents for their clients.
Selim was proud to serve as the custodian of his family's old photographs.
文法句型
custodian of [something valuable]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person or institution holding formal responsibility; the object is something with material or sentimental value (collections, documents, property). Almost always followed by 'of'.
常見錯誤
2. a person or group that works to defend and uphold certain beliefs, traditions, o
a person or group that works to defend and uphold certain beliefs, traditions, or moral standards from being damaged or lost
The elders of the village see themselves as custodians of their ancestors' traditions.
custodians of + [traditions/values]
Many journalists view the press as a custodian of democratic values.
custodian of + [abstract principle]
Chiara believes universities should remain custodians of free thought.
The court positioned itself as the custodian of the country's constitutional rights.
Paloma argued that artists are the true custodians of cultural memory.
文法句型
custodian of [tradition/values/principles]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (verb/1): the object here is an abstract ideal (values, traditions, beliefs), not a tangible item. Often used rhetorically when groups claim moral authority over an idea.
3. an employee who keeps a school, office, or other big property clean, in working
an employee who keeps a school, office, or other big property clean, in working order, and ready for daily use
The school custodian, Christopher, unlocks the front gates every morning at six.
school custodian (job title)
Saira asked the building custodian to fix the broken classroom heater.
building custodian + [maintenance request]
After the storm, the office custodian spent the weekend mopping flooded hallways.
Baraka has worked as a custodian at the community college for fifteen years.
Élise greeted the night custodian as she left the laboratory after midnight.
- janitor
American English; near-synonym, slightly less formal
- caretaker
British English equivalent for the same job
- groundskeeper
narrower; refers to outdoor grounds rather than indoor spaces
文法句型
[building]'s custodian
school custodian
用法筆記
Mainly American English; British speakers usually say 'caretaker' or 'janitor'. Common compound forms: 'school custodian', 'building custodian', 'night custodian'.