caregiver
noun
care·giv·er
ˈker-ˌgi-vər
plural caregivers
: a person who provides direct care (as for children, elderly people, or the chronically ill)
The care of a patient with Alzheimer's Disease or a related disorder can be a physical, emotional and financial drain on the family caregiver.—Diane Duquette Ascioti
Each child was rated by at least one parent. Questionnaires completed by another significant caregiver (teacher or daycare provider) were available on 85% of the sample …—Alan E. Kazdin et al.
You probably can imagine the difficulty a caregiver can have getting an immobile patient into a whirlpool.—Paul G. Donahue
caregiving
noun
… researchers have repeatedly documented the psychiatric and physical health effects of family caregiving.
—Richard Schulz et al.
Many readers … had their own stories of being treated badly at work because of caregiving duties.
—Sue Shellenbarger
One of the most significant ways you can help animals, educate yourself about the joys and heartbreaks of caregiving and earn untold psychic rewards is to volunteer at a shelter.
—Wendy Christensen
Cite this Entry
“Caregiver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caregiver. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.
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