# custody

/ˈkəstədi/ (US) · /kˈʌstədi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/custody
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. care of a child

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The suspect was taken into custody shortly after the robbery.
- 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'.

### 3. care of property

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

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

## Examples

- The parents share custody of their two children.
- After the investigation, the suspect remained in police custody while the lawyers prepared the necessary paperwork for the hearing.
- The court granted the mother sole legal custody after determining that the father's frequent international travel would disrupt the child's primary education and social stability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.