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
The Department of Justice has quietly walked back aggressive prosecutions, signalling that builders of non-custodial protocols aren’t the same as operators of centralized exchanges.
—
Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
However, the agreement credits Tri-City’s loan payments for providing a long list of services to the new mental health hospital, everything from food and medical services for patients being treated there to custodial staffing, landscaping and linen services.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
The district has already taken steps in recent months to close the gap of hundreds of millions through the lay-offs of hundreds of teachers, paraprofessionals, custodial workers and crossing guards.
—Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Her fellow union members bestowed the flower upon her at the day’s open, honoring her participation in the two-plus week hunger strike that paved the way for the University’s custodial staff to unionize nearly two decades ago.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for custodial
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Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
However, the agreement credits Tri-City’s loan payments for providing a long list of services to the new mental health hospital, everything from food and medical services for patients being treated there to custodial staffing, landscaping and linen services.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
The district has already taken steps in recent months to close the gap of hundreds of millions through the lay-offs of hundreds of teachers, paraprofessionals, custodial workers and crossing guards.
—Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Her fellow union members bestowed the flower upon her at the day’s open, honoring her participation in the two-plus week hunger strike that paved the way for the University’s custodial staff to unionize nearly two decades ago.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for custodial
Cite this Entry
“Custodial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/custodial. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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