custody

noun

cus·​to·​dy ˈkə-stə-dē How to pronounce custody (audio)
plural custodies
: immediate charge and control (as over a ward or a suspect) exercised by a person or an authority
also : safekeeping

Examples of custody in a Sentence

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 Gutierrez was taken into custody immediately after the verdict; her sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 15. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Assistant principal Kristy Gibson-Marshall testified talking to the shooter and witnessing him being taken into custody. Sara Powers, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024 Investigators identified the suspect and took him into custody Tuesday morning. Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024 Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ordered Gutierrez Reed taken into custody following the verdict last week, noting the seriousness of the case. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024 On Tuesday, deputies received a tip about Fullerton's whereabouts and took him into custody. Landon Mion, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2024 He was taken into custody at an apartment near Phoenix. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Mar. 2024 Almeida’s apparent possession of a firearm was enough to substantiate initial federal criminal charges against him, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms took him into custody following a November 2021 raid on the Queens apartment. Ali Winston, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2024 Officers took a subject of interest into custody near the scene for further questioning. Andrea Klick, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'custody.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of custody was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near custody

Cite this Entry

“Custody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/custody. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

custody

noun
cus·​to·​dy ˈkəs-təd-ē How to pronounce custody (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on custody

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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