[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/custody/)

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# custody

noun (custody)

«custody» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Being kept by the police or in prison, usually while waiting to go to court: the suspect was taken into custody. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/custody/#m1)
2. The legal right and duty to look after a child, especially after parents separate: his mum has custody. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/custody/#m2)
3. (formal) Care and keeping of something valuable: the museum has custody of the paintings. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/custody/#m3)

### In the lessons

In news and crime stories the police take a suspect "into custody". In family life, after a divorce a court may decide which parent has custody, or both share it (joint custody). Phrases: in custody, take into custody, police custody, joint custody, safe custody.

### Examples

- The police took the thief into custody. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/custody/#x1)
- He is being held in custody until the trial. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/custody/#x2)
- After the divorce, her parents share joint custody. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/custody/#x3)
- Her dad has custody of the children at weekends. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/custody/#x4)
- (formal) The jewels were kept in safe custody at the bank. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/custody/#x5)
- The suspect escaped from custody but was caught again. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/custody/#x6)
- A man was arrested for having caused his death, and held in custody till a gallows was erected. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/custody/#x7)

### Note

Uncountable. The person who keeps something is the custodian. "In custody" (with police) is different from "in care" (looked after by social services). Sensitive topic: some children's parents live apart.

## In Jewish tradition

In news and crime stories the police take a suspect "into custody". In family life, after a divorce a court may decide which parent has custody, or both share it (joint custody). Phrases: in custody, take into custody, police custody, joint custody, safe custody.

### Note

Uncountable. The person who keeps something is the custodian. "In custody" (with police) is different from "in care" (looked after by social services). Sensitive topic: some children's parents live apart.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «custody» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/custody/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«custody» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/custody.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «custody» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/custody/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«custody» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/custody.html) on Mova free.