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 of custody

• care
• guardianship
• custodianship
• control
• 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

He was arrested later that day near the University of Southern California and has remained in custody without bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

He was taken into custody in the US two years later and has awaited trial ever since. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 27 Aug. 2026

Mladic first led a Serb insurgency in Croatia before taking over the Bosnian Serb army that was backed by Serbia and then-President Slobodan Milosevic, who also died in the custody of the Hague court in 2006 while on trial for genocide. — Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

With the acquisition, BitGo will add derivatives, structured products, financing and other capital markets services to its existing custody, settlement and wallet infrastructure businesses. — Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

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

• custody battle
• joint custody
• protective custody

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