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

However, Medicare will not cover certain care that does not follow a qualifying hospital stay, such as long-term nursing facility care, custodial nursing facility care or nursing facility care, according to KFF. — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

Medicare does not cover custodial care, and custodial care is the bulk of what a long stay involves. — Jon Sabes, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

This year, public schools across the state will start the school year without enough bus drivers, paraprofessionals, ESE aides, custodial staff, cafeteria workers, nurses and other essential educators who keep students healthy and safe in school. — Andrew Spar, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Lipski said custodial staff were cleaning, emptying out classrooms and moving furniture into hallways to prepare for the upcoming school year. — Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 21 Aug. 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