noncustodial

adjective

non·​cus·​to·​di·​al ˌnän-kə-ˈstō-dē-əl How to pronounce noncustodial (audio)
: of or being a parent who does not have sole custody of a child or who has custody a smaller portion of the time

Examples of noncustodial in a Sentence

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.
Without it, the custodial parent retains the right to claim the child, even if the noncustodial parent continues paying support into adulthood. Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026 One of the fastest-growing noncustodial crypto wallets, Phantom has 22 million active users worldwide and booked $320 million in 2025 revenue, up from $200 million in 2024. Jeff Kauflin, Forbes.com, 19 Feb. 2026 Social support services for noncustodial parents may improve collections and child welfare. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026 Jared Reid, 42, and Rose Kim, 41, the child’s noncustodial parents, are accused of taking the infant by force. Tamara Dunn, Denver Post, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for noncustodial

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of noncustodial was in 1965

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Cite this Entry

“Noncustodial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noncustodial. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Legal Definition

noncustodial

adjective
non·​cus·​to·​di·​al ˌnän-kə-ˈstō-dē-əl How to pronounce noncustodial (audio)
1
: not taking place while in custody
a noncustodial interrogation of a suspect
2
: of or being a parent who does not have sole custody of a child or who has custody a smaller portion of the time
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