custody

UK: /ˈkʌstədi/ US: /ˈkʌstədi/ ,(kus′tə dē)

Inflections of 'custody' (n): npl: custodies

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

cus•to•dy /ˈkʌstədi/   n. [uncountable]

1. • keeping;
     guardianship;
     care.
   • (in a legal separation or divorce) the right of deciding where and how a child or children will live, be schooled, etc.
2. [often: in/into + ~] the state of being kept or guarded by officers of the law:
   The suspect was taken into custody.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cus•to•dy  (kus′tə dē), n., pl. -dies. 

1. keeping;
   guardianship;
   care.
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. Lawmaking Also called child custody. the right of determining the residence, protection, care, and education of a minor child or children, esp. in a divorce or separation. Cf. joint custody, sole custody.

• Latin custōdia a watching, watchman, equivalent. to custōd- (stem of custōs) keeper + -ia -y³
• late Middle English custodye 1400–50

Synonyms

• 1. safekeeping, charge, watch.
  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.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

custody / ˈkʌstədɪ/ noun ( -dies)

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)

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin custōdia, from custōs guard, defender

custodial / kʌˈstəʊdɪəl/ adjective