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Definition of janitor

janitor

/ˈdʒæn.ɪ.tər/
jan · i · tor
Adverb:janitorially
•
Plural:janitors
•
Adjective:janitorial
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janitor Lexical Profile

janitor Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person employed to clean, maintain, and perform minor repairs in a building such as a school, office, or apartment complex.

Example

"The school janitor stayed late after the basketball game to sweep the gymnasium floor and empty the trash bins."

2

A doorkeeper, porter, or usher stationed at the entrance of a building (now rare or historical).

Example

"In early modern universities, the college janitor guarded the main gate and recorded the arrival of visitors."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for janitor

• Rhymes for janitor

• Nearby Words

jane
jangle
jangly
janitor
janitorial
janitrix
jank

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from Latin 'janitor' ('doorkeeper, porter'), derived from 'janua' ('door, entrance') and associated with Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, gates, and doorways.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Janitor. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/janitor
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