noun

custody

KUHS-tuh-dee

noun

The legal right and responsibility to care for someone, especially a child.

"The parents share custody of their two children."

The state of being held by police, usually before a trial.

"The suspect was taken into custody after the raid."

How to Use Custody

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLegal responsibility for a child, or being held by the police.

Common pairings

child custody taken into custody custody battle

custodies plural

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The parents share _____ of their two children.

From Latin custodia, "a keeping, guard, prison," from custos, "a keeper."

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