custody

[ kuhs-tuh-dee ]

noun

, plural cus·to·dies.

1. keeping; guardianship; care.

   Synonyms: watch, charge, safekeeping

2. the keeping or charge of officers of the law:

   The car was held in the custody of the police.

3. imprisonment; legal restraint:

   He was taken into custody.

4. Also called child custody. Law. the right of determining the residence, protection, care, and education of a minor child or children, especially in a divorce or separation. Compare joint custody, sole custody.

custody

/ ˈkʌstədɪ; kʌˈstəʊdɪəl /

noun

1. the act of keeping safe or guarding, esp the right of guardianship of a minor
2. the state of being held by the police; arrest (esp in the phrases in custody, take into custody )

Derived Forms

• custodial, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of custody¹

1400–50; late Middle English custodye < Latin custōdia “a watching, watchman,” equivalent to custōd- (stem of custōs ) “keeper” + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of custody¹

C15: from Latin custōdia, from custōs guard, defender

Synonym Study

Custody, keeping, possession imply a guardianship or care for something. Custody denotes a strict keeping, as by a formally authorized and responsible guardian or keeper: in the custody of the sheriff. Keeping denotes having in one's care or charge, as for guarding or preservation: I left the package in my mother's keeping. Possession means holding, ownership, or mastery: Leave it in possession of its owner.

Example Sentences

His father, Lenard Sr., eventually found him, gained custody, got him grief counseling and enrolled him in an independent study program.

From Los Angeles Times

Avon and Somerset Police said it started reviewing the case, including further forensic examination of some items, in 2023, and a man from Ipswich was taken into custody on Tuesday morning.

From BBC

The judge said the custodial threshold had been passed but he was able to impose an alternative to custody.

From BBC

Mr Combs, 55, is currently in custody in Manhattan.

From BBC

A teenage boy who admitted killing a bus driver by headbutting and "raining punches" on him has been sentenced to four years and four months in custody.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrest
• detention
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• jail