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

The men, aged 43 and 50, from Northampton were arrested on Tuesday afternoon and are in custody in Northamptonshire.

From BBC

Baroness Lawrence said: "Any person who expresses views like these and does not recant is an obvious danger to society and must remain in custody."

From BBC

But only a few American participants have been released, with 21 remaining in Israeli custody as of Monday evening, according to the letter.

From Los Angeles Times

Sussex Police said a 46-year-old man was in custody after an arrest was made on Monday afternoon.

From BBC

All the suspects are currently in custody, officers said.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrest 
• detention 
• imprisonment 
• incarceration 
• jail