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
Ruggia was found guilty in 2024 and given a two-year custodial sentence under house arrest with an electronic bracelet in 2025.
—
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
The union represents 750,000 workers, from state employees to custodial staff.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Precious-metals dealers help facilitate these purchases, guiding investors through the buying process and, when applicable, assisting with storage, custodial arrangements and regulatory requirements tied to precious metals IRAs.
—Nick Perry, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Kenna faces much resistance from custodial grandparents, Grace Landry (Lauren Graham) and Patrick Landry (Bradley Whitford), who are the parents of Diem’s father, Scotty (Rudy Pankow).
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for custodial
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Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
The union represents 750,000 workers, from state employees to custodial staff.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Precious-metals dealers help facilitate these purchases, guiding investors through the buying process and, when applicable, assisting with storage, custodial arrangements and regulatory requirements tied to precious metals IRAs.
—Nick Perry, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Kenna faces much resistance from custodial grandparents, Grace Landry (Lauren Graham) and Patrick Landry (Bradley Whitford), who are the parents of Diem’s father, Scotty (Rudy Pankow).
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for custodial
Cite this Entry
“Custodial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/custodial. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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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