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

Identified only by numbers, the custodial droids are a nice touch. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025

When Cheyenne was still gone on Jan. 11, the Grayson County Sheriff's Office charged Dalton with custodial interference. —Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 6 July 2025

The marshals service said the child’s mother allegedly fled with the child during custodial visitation in Cobb County, Georgia. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2025

Four weeks after the tragic discovery, USA TODAY spoke with McLeod about what led him to find the girls' bodies, as well as the latest in the search for their father, who is wanted on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and custodial interference. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 1 July 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