# janitor

/ˈdʒænətɝ/ (US) · /dʒˈænɪtɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/janitor
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a person whose job is to take care of a building. They usually clean the floors, fix small problems, and look after the heating system.

For teachers: a person employed to maintain, clean, and provide security for a building, such as a school or office complex. Often synonymous with 'custodian' or 'caretaker'.

## Examples

- The janitor cleans the hallways every night.
- After the basketball game, the school janitor stayed late to mop the gym floor and lock the doors.
- While the administrative staff handled the paperwork, the janitor was responsible for the physical integrity of the facility, managing everything from plumbing repairs to waste disposal.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.