WordWeb Online

1. A state of being confined (usually for a short time)
   "he is in the custody of police";
   - detention, detainment, hold
    
2. Holding by the police
   "the suspect is in custody"
    
3. (with 'in') guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
   "your guests are now in my custody"; "the mother was awarded custody of the children";
   - hands

Derived forms: custodies

Type of: confinement, guardianship, imprisonment, internment, keeping, safekeeping

Encyclopedia: Custody