custody

noun

cus·​to·​dy ˈkə-stə-dē 

plural custodies

: immediate charge and control (as over a ward or a suspect) exercised by a person or an authority

also : safekeeping

Synonyms

• care
• custodianship
• guardianship
• keeping
• safekeeping
• trust
• ward

Example Sentences

She has sole custody of her daughter.

The judge granted custody to the grandparents.

The bank provides safe custody for valuables.

Recent Examples on the Web

The suspect in the unexplained spate of violence is 21-year-old Carlos Reales Dominguez, a former UC Davis student who has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody in the Yolo County jail. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2023

Solomon Peña is taken into custody by Albuquerque, New Mexico, police officers, on Jan. 16, in southwest Albuquerque. —Morgan Lee, BostonGlobe.com, 1 June 2023

Adams County sheriff’s deputies took Bliefnick into custody immediately after the verdict was read. —Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2023

Chagnon eventually surrendered after about forty minutes, according to court documents, and was taken into custody. —The Arizona Republic, 31 May 2023

Per instructions from the dispatcher, Porter stepped out of the apartment with his hands up after police arrived then he was taken into custody, according to the probable cause affidavit for his arrest. —Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 31 May 2023

Bryant, 49, is already in custody for unrelated drug charges, the outlet further reported. —Tracey Harrington Mccoy, Peoplemag, 31 May 2023

Masterson was taken into custody on Wednesday following the verdict. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 31 May 2023

In Mesa, Arizona, police took Iren Byers, 20, into custody in connection with multiple shootings from Friday afternoon to early Saturday, police said in a news release. —Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 30 May 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English custodie, from Latin custodia guarding, from custod-, custos guardian

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing custody

• joint custody
• protective custody
• custody battle

• joint custody
• protective custody
• custody battle

Kids Definition

custody

noun

cus·​to·​dy ˈkəs-təd-ē 

1

: direct responsibility for care and control

2

: the state of being arrested or held by the police

Legal Definition

custody

noun

cus·​to·​dy

: care or control exercised by a person or authority over something or someone: as

a

: supervision and control over property that usually includes liability for damage that may occur

b

: care and maintenance of a child that includes the right to direct the child's activities and make decisions regarding the child's upbringing compare visitation

— joint custody

: custody of a child shared by divorced or separated parents who alternate physical custody of and share in decisions regarding the child

called also shared custody

— physical custody

: custody that includes sharing a residence with a child

— shared custody

: joint custody in this entry

— sole custody

: custody of a child awarded to only one person and usually to a parent

— temporary custody

: custody awarded until a final judgment in a matter (as a divorce) is made

c

: official restraint on freedom (as by arrest or imprisonment or by release on bail, personal recognizance, probation, or parole) compare arrest

— constructive custody

: custody of a person (as a parolee) who is not under immediate physical control but whose freedom is controlled or restrained by legal authority

— penal custody

: custody of a person (as in a correctional institution) as a form of punishment

— physical custody

: custody of a person (as an arrestee) whose freedom is under the actual and immediate control of an official

— preventive custody

: custody of a person (as a criminal defendant awaiting trial) for the purpose of preventing further possible dangerous or criminal behavior

— protective custody

: physical custody of a person for his or her own safety

Etymology

Latin custodia, from custod-, custos guardian