custodial

adjective

cus·​to·​di·​al ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-əl How to pronounce custodial (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With just state money at the current funding level, according to Wednesday’s presentation, CMS could only afford 89% of its teachers, 46% of its assistant principals, 60% of its instructional support positions and 58% of its clerical and custodial staff. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026 However, gold IRAs also come with custodial, storage and administrative fees that don’t apply to direct bullion ownership. Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 14 May 2026 Those siblings are trapped in various stages of custodial and parentage proceedings in Georgia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 14 May 2026 This is different from a joint or custodial account, where the account is usually set up and managed by an adult for the minor. Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for custodial

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of custodial was in 1678

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Custodial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/custodial. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Medical Definition

custodial

adjective
cus·​to·​di·​al ˌkəs-ˈtōd-ē-əl How to pronounce custodial (audio)
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 How to pronounce custodial (audio)
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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