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

To leverage investing as a long-term legacy tool that can benefit children, grandchildren, and entire families, Cummings suggests opening up a custodial investment account or starting a small monthly investment in their name. —Essence, 9 Jan. 2026

In many traditional crypto gateway models, customer payments are first received into a custodial wallet controlled by the gateway provider and only later transferred to the merchant. —K.h. Koehler, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026

His union includes the Federation of Public Employees, which represents bus drivers, custodial and maintenance workers, school cafeteria staff, clerical staff and security monitors. —Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026

Additional charges related to child endangerment or custodial interference may still be filed. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 22 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