# custodian

> English word · Noun · IPA /kəˈstoʊdiən/ · frequency rank #24,719

## Definitions
1. A person entrusted with the custody or care of something or someone; a caretaker or keeper.
2. An administrator.
3. A gaolkeeper.
4. A protector or guard.
5. A janitor; a cleaner.

## Etymology
From a shortening of Latin custōdiānātus, from Latin custōdia (“a keeping, watch, guard, prison”), from custōs (“a keeper, watchman, guard”). By surface analysis, custody + -ian.

## Easily confused with
- **custodial** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/custodial-vs-custodian)

## Common misspellings (13)
`ccustodian`, `csutodian`, `cusotdian`, `cusstodian`, `custdoian`, `custodain`, `custoddian`, `custodiann`, `custodina`, `custoidan`, `custtodian`, `cutsodian`, `ucstodian`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/custodian