custody

noun

cus·​to·​dy ˈkə-stə-dē How to pronounce custody (audio)
plural custodies
Synonyms of custodynext
: immediate charge and control (as over a ward or a suspect) exercised by a person or an authority
also : safekeeping

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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 Another wave of anti-LGBT persecution was reported in January 2019, when activists said dozens of men and women were detained and at least two died in custody. —Jack Guy, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024 Expand All It’s been over two weeks since an Idaho prisoner escaped from custody after Idaho Department of Correction staffers were ambushed and fired on at the Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in the Boise Bench. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2024 Jackson, who lists no prior local criminal history, has remained in custody in lieu of a $200,000 bond since his arrest and pleaded innocent to all the charges Tuesday in Garland County Circuit Court. —Steven Mross, arkansasonline.com, 7 Apr. 2024 The man who was injured provided a self-defense claim and was released from custody after being interviewed, according to police. —Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 6 Apr. 2024 Those killed while in custody include seven suspects in last year’s assassination of a presidential candidate. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2024 While the series follows an investigative producer who teamed with law-enforcement to spring innocent inmates from custody, the Mandela portrait will counter previous efforts that veered too far into hagiography. —Ben Croll, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024 Authorities arrived and took Tener into custody, according to the Elkhart Truth. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2024 Police said two suspects were taken into custody and that the driver of the car has 14 prior arrests, while the passenger, who was also the shooter, has four prior arrests. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'custody.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Phrases Containing custody

Dictionary Entries Near custody

custodier

custody

custody battle

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Custody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/custody. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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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

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

More from Merriam-Webster on custody

Nglish: Translation of custody for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of custody for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about custody

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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