Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

custody

[ kuhs-tuh-dee ]

noun

plural custodies.
  1. keeping; guardianship; care.

    Synonyms: , ,

  2. the keeping or charge of officers of the law:

    The car was held in the custody of the police.

  3. imprisonment; legal restraint:

    He was taken into custody.

  4. Also called child custody. Law. the right of determining the residence, protection, care, and education of a minor child or children, especially in a divorce or separation. Compare joint custody, sole custody.


custody

/ ˈkʌstədɪ; kʌˈstəʊdɪəl /

noun

  1. the act of keeping safe or guarding, esp the right of guardianship of a minor
  2. the state of being held by the police; arrest (esp in the phrases in custody, take into custody )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • custodial, adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of custody1

1400–50; late Middle English custodye < Latin ܲō徱 “a watching, watchman,” equivalent to ܲō- (stem of ܲō ) “keeper” + -ia -y 3
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of custody1

C15: from Latin ܲō徱, from ܲō guard, defender
Discover More

Synonym Study

Custody, keeping, possession imply a guardianship or care for something. Custody denotes a strict keeping, as by a formally authorized and responsible guardian or keeper: in the custody of the sheriff. Keeping denotes having in one's care or charge, as for guarding or preservation: I left the package in my mother's keeping. Possession means holding, ownership, or mastery: Leave it in possession of its owner.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The driver, an unidentified woman, was taken into custody after 12:30 p.m. while TV news helicopters broadcast the standoff live overhead.

From

Dugan appeared in federal court on Friday before being released from custody, the Associated Press reported.

From

ICE enforces immigration laws nationwide but seeks state and local help in alerting federal authorities of immigrants wanted for deportation and holding that person until federal officers take custody.

From

She doesn’t kill him, and the cops finally take him into custody.

From

Dugan's arrest is not the first time the Justice Department has taken a jurist into custody for allegedly obstructing an enforcement action.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


ܲˈٴǻ徱Բ󾱱custom