custodial

adjective

cus·​to·​di·​al ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-əl 

1

a

: relating to guardianship

b

: relating to, providing, or being protective care or services for basic needs

nursing and custodial care

2

: having sole or primary custody of a child

the custodial parent

Examples of custodial in a Sentence

Her mother is the custodial parent.

Recent Examples on the Web

Private care is astronomical, and Medicare doesn't cover the custodial care this disease requires, the day-to-day help with bathing and dressing and supervision that can go on for a decade. — Sue Peschin, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

That again is providing custodial and financing services for RAA. — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026

The union workers are demanding the museum reverse its decision, and started a petition to give the custodial staff members their jobs back. — News Desk, Artforum, 28 July 2026

Currently, a child can earn up to $2,700, and income above that amount would trigger income taxes based on the parents’ (or custodial parent’s) marginal income tax rate, rather than the child’s tax rate. — Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for custodial

• noncustodial

Medical Definition

custodial

adjective

cus·​to·​di·​al ˌkəs-ˈtōd-ē-əl 

1

: relating to, providing, or being protective care or services for basic needs

nursing and custodial care

2

: having sole or primary custody of a child

the custodial parent

Legal Definition

custodial

adjective

cus·​to·​di·​al kə-ˈstō-dē-əl 

1

: occurring during or in connection with custody

a custodial interrogation

2

: having sole custody or custody a greater portion of the time

a custodial parent