SKIP TO CONTENT

janitor

/ˈdʒænədər/
/ˈdʒænɪtə/
IPA guide

Other forms: janitors

A janitor is someone whose job is cleaning and maintaining a building. If your school always looks clean and orderly, be sure to thank the janitor.

Another name for a janitor is a custodian, or in Britain, a caretaker. This job involves cleaning and caring for a school, hospital, apartment building, or workplace. Janitors may be responsible for cleaning bathrooms, hallways, and other common areas. Sometimes janitors will also sweep sidewalks, shovel snow, or do other outdoor maintenance. In the 16th century, a janitor was a "doorkeeper," from the Latin ianitor, "doorkeeper or porter," and the root ianua, "door."

Definitions of janitor
  1. noun
    someone employed to clean and maintain a building
    see moresee less
    type of:
    custodian, keeper, steward
    one having charge of buildings or grounds or animals
Pronunciation
US
/ˈdʒænədər/
UK
/ˈdʒænɪtə/
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘janitor'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family