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custody

n.
US //ˈkəstədi// UK //kˈʌstədi// cus·tody
  1. 1 care of a child (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    the legal right or duty to care for a child, especially after parents separate.

    the legal right to make decisions for and provide physical care for a minor, typically determined by a court during divorce proceedings.

    Example

    The parents agreed to share custody of their children after the divorce.

    Example

    The judge awarded sole legal custody to the mother, citing her established history as the primary caregiver and the father's frequent international travel.

    Usage

    Often used in the phrase 'joint custody' or 'sole custody'.
  2. 2 police detention (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    the state of being kept in prison or by the police, usually while waiting for a trial.

    the state of being held under the control of law enforcement or a judicial authority, particularly while awaiting trial or sentencing.

    Example

    The suspect was taken into custody shortly after the robbery.

    Example

    The defendant will remain in police custody until his bail hearing on Monday morning, as the prosecutor argued he posed a significant flight risk.

    Usage

    Commonly used with the verbs 'take into' or 'remain in'.
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  1. 3 care of property (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the act of looking after someone else's property or money for a short time.

    the protective care or guardianship of assets, documents, or physical property belonging to another party.

    Example

    The bank has custody of the original documents for the house.

    Example

    The museum was granted temporary custody of the private collection, provided they maintained strict climate controls and 24-hour security.

    Usage

    Often appears in the phrase 'in the custody of'.
Origin

Borrowed from Latin custōdia (“a keeping, watch, guard, prison”), from custōs (“a keeper, watchman, guard”). Doublet of custode.

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