custody

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈkʌstədiː/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: cus‧tody

Noun

Singular custody

Plural none

1. (uncountable) Custody is the act of taking care of something or somebody as it relates to the law, usually children.

   The court gave custody to the childrens' father.

2. (uncountable) Custody is the brief watching over or taking care of a persons' things.

   The bank has taken custody of the house while I finish paying the money owed on my loan.

3. (uncountable) Custody is when someone is watched over or put in prison, usually while waiting for a trial

   Until the trial, the judge ordered the defendant to stay in police custody because of the risk of him running away.

Related words

• custodial
• custodian