custody

[kuhs-tuh-dee]

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.

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 )

Other Word 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

He was held about 12 hours in federal custody before being moved to state custody and quickly released.

Read more on Salon

A 50-year-old man has been arrested and remains in police custody, Leicestershire Police said.

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The gang’s top boss may be convicted and sent to federal custody, but the rackets go on.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He was held in custody for 17 days, but a court then refused to extradite him.

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But law enforcement experts said it is highly unusual for the White House to get involved in particular border seizures or to demand authorities give up custody of potential evidence in an investigation.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• arrest 
• detention 
• imprisonment 
• incarceration 
• jail