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

She has been arraigned on a felony charge of custodial interference, according to the Commonwealth’s Attorney Office in Jefferson County. —Sydney Bishop, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025

The child's mother, Debra Leigh Curry Newton, is facing charges of custodial interference. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025

Debra is now facing a felony charge of custodial interference, WDRB reported. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025

Benjamin was subsequently taken into custody, and custodial interference charges are pending, per police. —Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025

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