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

On the operations side, Clemson is responsible for event security, custodial services and traffic staff, while the Savannah Bananas will manage ticketing and host a fan fest. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2025

For these reasons, among others, Durham asked for an 87-month custodial sentence for Santos — or seven years and three months in prison. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Use this time to contribute a little more to your 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, 529 plans, and custodial investment accounts. —Sam Dogen, Contributor, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025

Founded in 1397 for hermit friars who had dedicated their life to St. Augustine, the monastery has been under the custodial care of the Augustinian order for centuries. —Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for custodial

• noncustodial

Medical 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