custodial

adjective

cus·​to·​di·​al ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-əl How to pronounce custodial (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The work was done by District 300 buildings and grounds and custodial employees Andres Banuelos, Jimmy Gonzalez, Christopher Mietus, Scott Minarczyk, Robert Prehn, Courtney Stone, Otoniel Vargas and Paul Wiloff. Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025 Line cooks, chaplains, custodial staff and security guards made up a critical part of Drake's 474-person staff, in addition to the 100+ nurses who worked on weekdays and weekends and an army of 51 physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists. Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 The comedian headlines the piece as Max, a product of the foster system trying to avoid jail time by accepting a job as a custodial worker at a retirement home. Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025 The Red Cross doesn’t pay to use the facility as a shelter, but the city can be reimbursed for food services, custodial support and utility expenses incurred from shelter operations. Jim Drummond, Oc Register, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for custodial

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of custodial was in 1678

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Custodial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/custodial. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

Medical Definition

custodial

adjective
cus·​to·​di·​al ˌkəs-ˈtōd-ē-əl How to pronounce custodial (audio)
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 How to pronounce custodial (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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