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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
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 More than 200 remain in custody or unaccounted for. 
Ian Lovett, WSJ, 11 Sep. 2022 Rodriguez Alfaro is currently in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 11 Sep. 2022 The sheriff's office previously told PEOPLE that the suspect in custody is 33-year-old Jose Landaeta Solano, who also goes by Rafa Solano. Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2022 Gutierrez said police did not have anyone in custody yet. Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 According to online jail records, Harvey has been in custody since Sept. 2. Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 Sanderson went into medical distress while in custody, Blackmore said. Robert Bumsted, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Rudolph, who remains in custody, could face a maximum penalty of life in prison for the murder charge. Jennifer Terker, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2022 Alexia is the 11th person to die in custody this year. Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2022 See More
Ian Lovett, WSJ, 11 Sep. 2022 Rodriguez Alfaro is currently in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 11 Sep. 2022 The sheriff's office previously told PEOPLE that the suspect in custody is 33-year-old Jose Landaeta Solano, who also goes by Rafa Solano. Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2022 Gutierrez said police did not have anyone in custody yet. Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 According to online jail records, Harvey has been in custody since Sept. 2. Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 Sanderson went into medical distress while in custody, Blackmore said. Robert Bumsted, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Rudolph, who remains in custody, could face a maximum penalty of life in prison for the murder charge. Jennifer Terker, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2022 Alexia is the 11th person to die in custody this year. Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
custody
noun
cus·to·dy ˈkə-stə-dē
1
: direct responsibility for care and control
The boy is in the custody of his parents.
2
: the state of being arrested or held by police
The suspect has been taken into custody.
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
custody
noun
as in care
responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something the government department having custody of all official state gifts Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- care
- guardianship
- custodianship
- safekeeping
- control
- supervision
- ward
- management
- trust
- keeping
- hand(s)
- superintendence
- governorship