cus·to·dy 
/ˈkʌstədi/ noun
/ˈkʌstədi/ noun [noncount] 1 law : the legal right to take care of a child (such as a child whose parents are divorced)
▪ She has sole custody of her daughter. ▪ The judge granted/awarded custody to the grandparents. ▪ The parents have joint custody. [=both parents have custody] ▪ a bitter custody battle [=a legal fight between divorced parents about who will take care of a child] 2 : the state of being kept in a prison or jail — used after in or into ▪ Several suspects in the killing are in custody. ▪ He was taken into (police) custody last night and will be charged with murder today. ▪ The witness is in protective custody. [=is being kept in a safe place by the police] 3 formal : the act of protecting or taking care of something
▪ The bank provides safe custody for valuables. — often + of ▪ The artist's paintings are in the custody of the museum.
▪ She has sole custody of her daughter. ▪ The judge granted/awarded custody to the grandparents. ▪ The parents have joint custody. [=both parents have custody] ▪ a bitter custody battle [=a legal fight between divorced parents about who will take care of a child]
▪ The bank provides safe custody for valuables. — often + of ▪ The artist's paintings are in the custody of the museum.
