custody

Universal Words noun [U] 1 the legal right or duty to take care of or keep sb/sth; the act of taking care of sth/sb: Who will have custody of the children? * The divorce court awarded custody to the child's mother. * The parents were locked in a bitter battle for custody. * The bank provides safe custody for valuables. * The castle is now in the custody of the state. 2 the state of being in prison, especially while waiting for trial: After the riot, 32 people were taken into police custody. * (BrE) He was remanded in custody, charged with the murder of a policeman. seealsoYOUTHCUSTODY