Custody Definition

kŭstə-dē

noun

A guarding or keeping safe; care; protection; guardianship.

Webster's New World

The control and care of a person or property, especially when granted by a court.

An adult who was given custody of the child.

American Heritage

The right of having one's children in one's immediate care, awarded under various arrangements to one or both of the parents by a court as a result of a divorce or separation.

Webster's New World

The state of being detained or held under guard, especially by the police.

Took the robbery suspect into custody.

American Heritage

The immediate control, guarding, or keeping of a thing for its care, inspection, preservation, or security.

Webster's New World Law

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Custody

in custody
take into custody

Origin of Custody

Middle English custodie from Latin custōdia from custōs custōd- guard (s)keu- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Latin custodia (“a keeping, watch, guard, prison”), from custos (“a keeper, watchman, guard”).

From Wiktionary