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custody

noun

ˈkə-stə-dē How to pronounce custody (audio)
Definition of custodynext
as in care
responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something the government department having custody of all official state gifts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of custody On Wednesday, police tracked down Harris and took him into custody after a brief chase on foot, according to court documents. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026 Although Saetern’s official cause of death was cocaine, Obayashi still considers deaths that happen after people go unconscious during detainments as in-custody deaths. — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026 He was taken into custody and brought to the hospital after attempting to flee police. — Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026 The operator of the boat that hit the watercraft, Lovro Paulic, 55, was taken into custody, according to the post. — Christian Cervantes, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for custody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custody
  1. care
  2. guardianship
  3. custodianship
  4. control
  5. safekeeping
Noun
  • Greening-tolerant trees do need good care with frequent feedings, minor nutrient sprays and insect control to remain as disease-free as possible.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The lack of a real-time conversation means many patients aren’t getting the type of care recommended by medical societies that prescribe GLP-1s, including discussions about weight-loss goals, past efforts and eating disorders.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of care
Noun
  • Allman’s wife, Mariangela King Allman, has since applied for the guardianship role and asked that the Los Angeles County judge on the conservatorship case appoint her as conservator if one is needed in California.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Williams has been vocal about her objections to the guardianships, and her attempts to be removed from it.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of guardianship
Noun
  • Weisbecker is not involved in the efforts but said her main concern was ensuring Indigenous people would have custodianship of the animal and that their input would help shape the thylacine’s de-extinction plans.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Venezuela’s oil production has jumped under Washington’s custodianship, though questions abound about where those profits, which were intended to help rebuild the country, have ended up.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of custodianship
Noun
  • Robert Mugabe, longtime strongman of Zimbabwe, printed money to ensure his party kept control of the country and to finance the nation's deficits.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Democrats have seized upon AI safety to boost their chances of retaking congressional control in the midterms.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of control
Noun
  • The Uffizi temporarily removed the Caravaggio for safekeeping and closed the room, which reopened as usual on September 18.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Other tasks she highlights include checking that your windshield washer fluid is rated for freezing temperatures and placing some gloves and a blanket in the trunk for safekeeping.
    — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of safekeeping

Browse Nearby Words

custodies
custody
custom
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Custody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custody. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on custody

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about custody

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