custody
- 1The legal right to look after a child or another person or thing.
Like being the grown-up who is officially allowed to look after a child.
After the divorce, the mother was given custody of both children.
A judge decides who gets custody when parents cannot agree.
Similarguardianship, care
Note
- 2The state of being held by police or kept in jail before a trial.
Like being kept somewhere by the authorities and not allowed to leave.
The suspect remained in custody until his court date.
Police took the two men into custody after the robbery.
Similardetention, imprisonment, confinement
Note
- 3The holding or care of something that belongs to another person for a short time.
Like holding a friend's keys safe until they come back.
The museum took custody of the paintings while the gallery was repaired.
While you travel, I will keep your documents in my custody.
Similarsafekeeping, care, keeping, charge
- 4A region of Franciscan friars led by an official called a custos.
The custody covered several towns in the south.
Friars from across the custody met once a year.
Note
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of custody apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
From Latin custodia, meaning "a keeping, watch, or guard," from custos, meaning "a keeper or guard."