custody
Americannoun
-
custodies
plural
-
keeping; guardianship; care.
- Synonyms:
- watch, charge, safekeeping
-
the keeping or charge of officers of the law.
The car was held in the custody of the police.
-
imprisonment; legal restraint.
He was taken into custody.
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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.
noun
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the act of keeping safe or guarding, esp the right of guardianship of a minor
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the state of being held by the police; arrest (esp in the phrases in custody, take into custody )
Synonym Usage
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
Explanation
When you are legally responsible for another person, they are in your custody. Most parents have custody over their children. The word custody brings with it the meaning of care for. When someone is in your custody, it is not just that they reside with you, it is that you are responsible for taking good care of them. If you are arrested, you will be taken into police custody. While there in jail, it is their responsibility to protect you from harm.
Vocabulary lists containing custody
Holes
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Home of the Brave
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Word Generation Social Studies - Complex Questions Related to American Democracy
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A Somali national in his 20s has been arrested and remains in police custody.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
His adult co-defendant in Jackson’s killing was sentenced to 29 years, but juveniles, even those convicted of murder, cannot be held in custody in California beyond their 20s.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
The Justice Department will file two felony charges against Melissa Farris, who is currently in custody.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
A 56-year-old Kenyan national was also taken into custody, it said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
“She waved some stupid custody paperwork in my face, and said I’ve got to do what she says. Fuchsia rips a piece off the flyer. “That’s what she thinks.”
From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden
It wasn’t until 2013 that South Korea’s government required foreign adoptions to go through family courts, ending a decadeslong policy that allowed agencies to dictate child relinquishments and international transfers of custodies.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 7, 2023
Circle, the principal issuer of USD Coin, custodies a portion of its reserves with BNY Mellon.
From Reuters ● Apr. 19, 2023
It wasn’t until 2013 when South Korea’s government required foreign adoptions to go through family courts, ending a policy of allowing agencies to dictate child relinquishments, transfer of custodies and emigration for decades.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 12, 2022
It wasn’t until 2013 when South Korea’s government required foreign adoptions to go through family courts, ending a decadeslong policy of allowing private agencies to dictate child relinquishments, transfer of custodies and emigration.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 22, 2022
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodies?" he said, looking into her eyes.
From Captivity by M. Leonora Eyles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
