A caretaker is someone responsible for looking after something or someone that needs attention and protection. A caretaker might watch over a building when the owners are away, making sure pipes don't freeze and windows stay secure. Museums hire caretakers to protect valuable artifacts overnight. Old estates sometimes have caretakers who maintain the grounds and buildings year-round.

The word also applies to people who look after others who can't fully care for themselves. A caretaker might help an elderly grandparent with daily tasks like cooking meals or managing medications. When parents travel, they might ask a relative to be a temporary caretaker for their children.

In some contexts, caretaker describes someone temporarily filling a role until a permanent replacement arrives. A caretaker manager runs a sports team between coaches, or a caretaker government leads a country during a transition period.

Good caretakers are reliable, attentive, and protective. They notice when something needs fixing before it becomes a bigger problem, whether that's a leaky roof or making sure someone takes their medicine on time.