custodial
adjective
cus·to·di·al
ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-əl 
1
a
: relating to guardianship
b
: relating to, providing, or being protective care or services for basic needs
nursing and custodial care
2
: having sole or primary custody of a child
the custodial parent
Examples of custodial in a Sentence
Her mother is the custodial parent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Identified only by numbers, the custodial droids are a nice touch.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
When Cheyenne was still gone on Jan. 11, the Grayson County Sheriff's Office charged Dalton with custodial interference.
—Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 6 July 2025
The marshals service said the child’s mother allegedly fled with the child during custodial visitation in Cobb County, Georgia.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2025
Four weeks after the tragic discovery, USA TODAY spoke with McLeod about what led him to find the girls' bodies, as well as the latest in the search for their father, who is wanted on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and custodial interference.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for custodial
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David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
When Cheyenne was still gone on Jan. 11, the Grayson County Sheriff's Office charged Dalton with custodial interference.
—Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 6 July 2025
The marshals service said the child’s mother allegedly fled with the child during custodial visitation in Cobb County, Georgia.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2025
Four weeks after the tragic discovery, USA TODAY spoke with McLeod about what led him to find the girls' bodies, as well as the latest in the search for their father, who is wanted on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and custodial interference.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for custodial
Cite this Entry
“Custodial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/custodial. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
custodial
adjective
cus·to·di·al
ˌkəs-ˈtōd-ē-əl
1
: relating to, providing, or being protective care or services for basic needs
nursing and custodial care
2
: having sole or primary custody of a child
the custodial parent
Legal Definition
custodial
adjective
cus·to·di·al
kə-ˈstō-dē-əl
1
: occurring during or in connection with custody
a custodial interrogation
2
: having sole custody or custody a greater portion of the time
a custodial parent
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