custody

American  

[kuhs-tuh-dee] / ˈkʌs tə di /

noun

plural

custodies

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.

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custody British  

/ 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 )

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• custodial adjective

Etymology

Origin of custody

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

Related Words

• arrest
• detention
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• jail