janitor

noun

jan·​i·​tor ˈja-nə-tər How to pronounce janitor (audio)
Synonyms of janitor
1
: one who keeps the premises of a building (such as an apartment or office) clean, tends the heating system, and makes minor repairs
2
: doorkeeper

Synonyms of janitor

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Examples of janitor in a Sentence

got a job as the night janitor at the elementary school according to popular Christian tradition, St. Peter acts as janitor at heaven's pearly gates
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The janitor then told nurses of the discovery, and police were notified as required by law. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Timothy didn’t attend college and held several jobs throughout his life, including working as a janitor at Harvard, where Chris went to school. — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026 Parents found out in February that the school’s janitor and maintenance worker, Caleb Crawford, had been convicted and imprisoned for touching a 12-year-old girl in 2016. — Rachel Royster july 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026 Landon built relationships with the janitors and grounds crew, always stopping to chat. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for janitor

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from janus arch, gate

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of janitor was in 1629

Browse Nearby Words

janissary music
janitor
janitorial
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Janitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/janitor. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

janitor

noun
jan·​i·​tor ˈjan-ət-ər How to pronounce janitor (audio)
1
: doorkeeper
2
: a person who has the care of a building
janitorial
ˌjan-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əl How to pronounce janitor (audio)
-ˈtȯr-
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on janitor

Nglish: Translation of janitor for Spanish Speakers

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