This word is acceptable for play in the US & UK dictionaries that are being used in the following games:

• Lexulous
• Wordscraper
• Wordosaur

n. The act or right of guarding, especially such a right granted by a court: an adult who was given custody of the child.

n. Care, supervision, and control exerted by one in charge. See Synonyms at care.

n. The state of being detained or held under guard, especially by the police: took the robbery suspect into custody.

n. The legal right to take care of something or somebody, especially children.

n. Temporary possession or care of somebody else's property.

n. The state of being imprisoned or detained, usually pending a trial.

n. A keeping or guarding; care, watch, inspection, for keeping, preservation, or security.

n. Judicial or penal safe-keeping.

n. State of being guarded and watched to prevent escape; restraint of liberty; confinement; imprisonment.

n. A keeping; a guarding; care, watch, inspection, or detention, for preservation or security: as, the prisoner was committed to the custody of the sheriff.

n. Restraint of liberty; confinement; imprisonment; incarceration.

n. Safe-keeping against a foe; guarding; security.

n. (with `in') guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

n. a state of being confined (usually for a short time)

n. holding by the police

"Gates was playing with fire and 4 hours in custody is not good but not terrible – I don't think he was out of line, but the police also have their lives on the line"

guardianship    keeping    safe-keeping    confinement    imprisonment    internment   

custodial    custodian   

joint custody    maternal custody    paternal custody    sole custody   

confinement    imprisonment    care   

guardianship    supervision    jurisdiction    ownership    possession    confinement    arrest    accountability    detention    divorce