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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After that, Miguel dropped Paola off at her friend's house in Durham and later that day, Paola's friend dropped her back off at the Raleigh residence where she was taken into custody. Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025 Omar was taken into custody immediately, with The New Republic reporting that he was deported to Mexico shortly after. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 Figueroa fled the scene in his car and was taken into custody less than three hours later in Koreatown, authorities say. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 The impostors then stole two hot dogs and menaced the vendor with a knife before taking off on Seventh Ave., heading toward 44th St. Cops took one man into custody following the heist, and are looking for a second person dressed in a red hoodie, black pants and black and white sneakers. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for custody

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Custody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/custody. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on custody

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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