custody
KUSS-tuh-dee
/ˈkʌstədi/
The protective care or guardianship of someone or something, or state of being kept in police arrest.
Dual meaning: legal protective care of children (child custody) OR arrest/police holding (police custody).
The story behind the word. From Latin 'custodia' (watch, guard, or care), derived from 'custos' (guardian). It entered English in the 15th century representing both safe-keeping/protection and legal restraint under guard.
Word relationships
- guardianship: Used mainly for family care rather than police arrest.
- confinement: Refers strictly to physical restriction, lacking the 'guardianship' meaning.
- freedom: State of being unconstrained.
- release: Relinquishing control or physical hold.
Commonly confused with
- detention: Custody focuses on who has legal authority/guardianship over the person; detention focuses on the physical holding.
Word family
- custodial (adjective): Relating to custody or guardianship.
- custodian (noun): A person who has responsibility for taking care of something.
Collocations
- take into custody
- in police custody
- child custody
- custody battle
Idioms & expressions
- in safe custody
Example sentences
- "The suspect was taken into custody shortly after the robbery took place." Police Report
- "The parents agreed to share joint custody of their two children." Family Law
Memory hook
CUSTODY -> CUSTO-dian guards a person in CUSTODY. Guarded by a custodian.
When not to use
Do not use to describe simple physical ownership of routine inanimate personal belongings like a pencil.
Fun facts
- The word 'custard' sounds similar but is completely unrelated—it comes from Old French 'flustard' (a type of pie)!
Related words
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