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

While some of the city’s other historic sites don’t currently bring in any revenue, Independence City Manager Troy Anderson said in April, custodial societies at both the Vaile and Bingham-Waggoner properties run frequent tours and throw summer festivals. —Ilana Arougheti june 11, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026

Augusta and its custodial partners will help coordinate the paperwork, purchase and storage process. —Amy Deyoung, USA Today, 7 June 2026

Families could also consider a 529 college savings plan, a custodial account for minors under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act, also known as UGMA and UTMA, and, if a child earns income, a Roth individual retirement account. —Jessica Dickler,greg Iacurci, CNBC, 5 June 2026

Debra took a plea deal reducing her felony custodial interference charge to a misdemeanor. —Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 31 May 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