Custody

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkÊŒstÉ™diː/ (Estuary English)
• Homophones: custardy (in some dialects)

Origin

From Latin custodia ("a keeping, watch, guard, prison"), from custos ("a keeper, watchman, guard").

Noun

1. The legal right to take care of something or somebody, especially children.The court awarded custody to the child's father.
2. Temporary possession or care of somebody else's property.I couldn't pay the bill and now my passport is in custody of the hotel management.
3. The state of being imprisoned or detained, usually pending a trial.He was mistreated while in police custody.

Derived terms

Related terms

• custodial
• custodian