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

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

Last year, the Tarrant County jail — in the third-most populous county in the state — ranked fifth in custodial deaths among the state’s largest county jails. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026

The charging documents say Baltazar has prior convictions for carjacking, robbery, and custodial possession of a weapon. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 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