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

During a news conference Monday, Garces Perez called in from ICE custody and gave his own account of the shooting with the help of an interpreter. — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

In Myanmar, at least one striking teacher who was pressured to return to work in 2022 was arrested two months later and died in custody. — Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026

In 1953 Arizona state officials organized another raid on Short Creek in which more than 100 were arrested and over 200 children were taken into state custody (they were reunited with their families two years later). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026

Russell Ashford, 65, who was detained last week in Pennsylvania, reportedly took unauthorized overnight custody of their son on the night Antoinette was last seen, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 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