protective custody

noun

1. detention of a person by the police solely as protection against a possible attack or reprisal by someone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of protective custody¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Now he’d be sent to the hospital, stitched up, placed in protective custody, and sent to another prison.

Read more on Slate

The unharmed child was rescued and placed into protective custody by Arizona authorities.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

County, claiming that because he was drunk deputies should have put him in a form of protective custody after he was denied entrance to the stadium because he didn’t have a ticket.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

On Aug. 16, the children were found safe and taken into protective custody in Peru.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The ministry has since come under fire because officials questioned Jossimar Cabrera at the airport in Lima and took the children into protective custody, but didn’t detain him, according to several Peruvian media sources.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• capture 
• detention 
• imprisonment 
• incarceration 
• jailing www.thesaurus.com