custody
Custody means having the legal right to take care of someone or being kept in prison.
Explanation at your level:
Custody is a word for when someone is in charge of a person. A parent has custody of their child. The police keep a person in custody if they did something wrong.
When parents get divorced, they talk about custody. This means deciding who the child will live with. Also, if the police catch a criminal, they put them in custody.
Custody is a legal term. It refers to the right to care for a child. It also describes the state of being held by the police while waiting for a court date.
In legal contexts, custody defines the authority to care for a minor. It is also used to describe detention. You will often hear 'taken into custody' in news reports.
Custody implies a formal, protective, or restrictive guardianship. It is used in both family law and criminal justice. The nuance is always about who has the power to control or protect the individual.
Custody denotes a state of formal oversight. It encompasses the legal obligation of care, as in child custody, or the state of incarceration. It carries a heavy, serious connotation in all registers.
30秒でわかる単語
- Custody is a legal right to care.
- It also means being held by police.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- Commonly used in news and law.
Hey there! Let's talk about custody. It’s a word you’ll hear a lot in news reports or legal dramas. At its heart, it’s all about responsibility and control.
When we talk about children, custody refers to the legal right to look after them. It’s about who makes the big decisions, like where they go to school or what doctor they see. It’s a serious responsibility!
On the other hand, when we talk about the police, being in custody means you are being held by the authorities. It’s not necessarily a punishment yet—it’s just a state of being detained so the law can do its job. Think of it as being under the 'care' or 'watch' of the system.
The word custody has a pretty cool history! It comes from the Latin word custodia, which means 'guarding' or 'protection.' That root word, custos, actually means 'a guard.'
Over time, it traveled through Old French before landing in English in the 15th century. It’s fascinating because the original meaning was all about keeping something safe. If you were in someone's custody back then, it meant you were being protected from harm, not just locked away.
It’s related to words like custodian—the person who takes care of a building. So, whether it’s a person or a building, the core idea is that someone is watching over it to make sure everything stays in order.
You’ll mostly see custody in formal or legal settings. In daily conversation, we often use it to talk about families. You might hear someone say, 'They are fighting for sole custody of the kids.'
When talking about the police, we usually say someone is taken into custody or remains in custody. It sounds very official because, well, it is! You wouldn't really use this word at a casual dinner party unless you were discussing a serious news story.
Common pairings include joint custody, legal custody, and police custody. Notice how these adjectives define exactly what kind of 'guarding' is happening.
While 'custody' itself isn't the center of many lighthearted idioms, it appears in several fixed legal phrases.
- Take into custody: To arrest someone. Example: 'The police took the suspect into custody.'
- In custody: Being held by police. Example: 'The prisoner is currently in custody.'
- Grant custody: When a judge decides who looks after a child. Example: 'The court granted custody to the mother.'
- Lose custody: To have the right to care for a child taken away. Example: 'He feared he would lose custody of his daughter.'
- Shared custody: When parents split the time with children. Example: 'They have shared custody of the twins.'
Grammatically, custody is an uncountable noun. We don't usually say 'custodies.' It’s almost always used with the definite article 'the' or without an article if it's a general concept.
For pronunciation, it’s KUS-tuh-dee. The stress is on the first syllable. In the UK, you might hear a slightly sharper 't' sound, while in the US, it can sound a bit softer, almost like a 'd'.
It rhymes with words like dusty (sort of!) and trusty. Remember, it’s a three-syllable word, so take your time saying it clearly!
Fun Fact
The word is related to the Latin 'custos', which is where we also get the word 'custodian'!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'k' sound, short 'u', 'stuh-dee' rhythm.
Similar to UK, but the 't' might sound like a soft 'd' in fast speech.
Common Errors
- pronouncing the 'u' like 'oo'
- stressing the second syllable
- adding an 's' at the end
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy to read in news
requires formal context
easy to pronounce
common in media
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Uncountable Nouns
Custody is uncountable.
Passive Voice
He was taken into custody.
Prepositional Phrases
In custody of.
Examples by Level
The mother has custody of the child.
Mother / has / legal care / of / child
Has custody of is a common phrase.
The police are in custody of the man.
Police / have / the man / in jail
Used to show control.
Who has custody of the baby?
Who / is / taking care / of / baby
Question form.
He is in custody now.
He / is / being held / by police
Short and simple.
Custody is important for kids.
Care / is / important / for / children
Abstract noun usage.
The judge gave her custody.
Judge / decided / she / can / care
Past tense verb.
They share custody of the dog.
Both / take / care / of / pet
Informal use.
He was taken into custody.
Police / arrested / him
Passive voice.
The parents share joint custody of their daughter.
The suspect was held in police custody for two days.
She fought for full custody in the court.
The child is in the custody of his grandparents.
The police took the thief into custody.
They reached an agreement on custody.
Custody battles can be very difficult.
He was released from custody this morning.
The court granted temporary custody to the father.
The suspect is currently in custody awaiting trial.
They have a shared custody arrangement for the summer.
Custody of the documents was transferred to the lawyer.
The police have the evidence in their custody.
She lost custody of her children after the incident.
The state has custody of the abandoned building.
Legal custody includes the right to make medical decisions.
The judge awarded sole custody to the mother.
He was remanded in custody until the next hearing.
The organization has custody of the historical artifacts.
They are seeking a change in the custody agreement.
The child was placed in the custody of social services.
Custody disputes often require mediation.
The suspect was taken into police custody without incident.
She maintains custody of the family estate.
The state assumed custody of the minor after the parents were arrested.
The museum has been granted custody of the ancient relics.
His time in custody was marked by strict isolation.
The legal battle over custody lasted for several years.
The police took the individual into protective custody.
Custody of the keys was given to the security guard.
The court's decision on custody was final.
They are challenging the current custody arrangement.
The prisoner was held in custody pending further investigation.
She was awarded physical custody while the father retained legal custody.
The institution retains custody of all sensitive records.
The duration of his custody was extended by the magistrate.
The legal nuances of child custody are complex.
The suspect was remanded in custody by the court.
The government maintains custody of the national archives.
The custody of the child was a matter of intense litigation.
類義語
よく使う組み合わせ
Idioms & Expressions
"in custody"
under arrest or detained
The suspect is currently in custody.
neutral"take into custody"
to arrest someone
Officers took the man into custody.
neutral"remanded in custody"
sent to prison while waiting for trial
He was remanded in custody by the judge.
formal"gain custody"
to be given the legal right to care for someone
She hopes to gain custody of the kids.
neutral"lose custody"
to have the right to care for someone removed
He feared he would lose custody.
neutral"protective custody"
detention for one's own safety
The witness was placed in protective custody.
formalEasily Confused
both involve care
guardianship is broader
He has guardianship of the estate.
both involve being held
detention is often for school or short term
He stayed in detention after school.
both mean having something
possession is for objects
He had possession of the keys.
both involve police
incarceration is specifically prison
His incarceration lasted five years.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + was taken into + custody
The suspect was taken into custody.
Subject + has + custody of + Object
She has custody of the child.
The court granted + custody to + Person
The court granted custody to the father.
Subject + is in + custody
The prisoner is in custody.
They share + custody of + Object
They share custody of the puppy.
語族
Nouns
Adjectives
関連
How to Use It
7/10
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
Custody is only a noun.
It is an uncountable noun.
Prison is the place; custody is the status.
Usually used without an article.
Custody is mostly for people.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a judge's gavel next to a pair of handcuffs.
Native Usage
Use it when talking about news or legal situations.
Cultural Insight
It is a very serious word in English culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Never pluralize it!
Say It Right
Focus on the first syllable stress.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a verb.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin word for guard.
Study Smart
Read news headlines to see it in context.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
CUS-tody: CUS-tomers need protection.
Visual Association
A police officer holding a pair of handcuffs.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Use 'custody' in a sentence about a news report.
語源
Latin
Original meaning: guarding or protection
文化的な背景
It is a sensitive word, especially in family law contexts.
It is a very common term in legal and news media.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at court
- custody hearing
- legal custody
- sole custody
news report
- taken into custody
- remain in custody
- police custody
family discussion
- shared custody
- custody agreement
- custody battle
legal advice
- seeking custody
- granting custody
- transferring custody
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever seen a movie about a custody battle?"
"Why do you think custody laws are so important?"
"How does the police custody process work in your country?"
"Do you think joint custody is the best for children?"
"What is the difference between custody and guardianship?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you heard the word 'custody' in the news.
Why is it important for the law to decide who has custody?
Imagine you are a judge; how would you decide a custody case?
Describe the feeling of being in 'custody' from a character's perspective.
よくある質問
8 問No, it is very common in family law.
No, it is uncountable.
Yes, it is used in legal and official contexts.
Custody is the status; prison is the location.
Usually the parents, as decided by a court.
Yes, it means being held by police.
Yes, evidence can be in police custody.
It is straightforward if you remember the 'u' and 'y'.
自分をテスト
The police have the man in ___.
Police hold people in custody.
What does custody mean for parents?
Custody is about legal care.
You can have two custodies.
Custody is uncountable.
Word
意味
These are common collocations.
He was taken into custody.
スコア： /5
Summary
Custody is the legal responsibility for a person or the state of being held by authorities.
- Custody is a legal right to care.
- It also means being held by police.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- Commonly used in news and law.
Memory Palace
Imagine a judge's gavel next to a pair of handcuffs.
Native Usage
Use it when talking about news or legal situations.
Cultural Insight
It is a very serious word in English culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Never pluralize it!
例文
The mother was given custody of the two children.
Related Content
この単語を他の言語で
lawの関連語
bail
A1Bail is a sum of money paid to a court so that a person who has been accused of a crime can stay out of jail until their trial starts. If the person shows up for their court date, the money is usually returned.
bankruptcy
A1個人や会社がお金を返せなくなった状態のこと。裁判所が関わって、借金をどうするか決める手続きだよ。
burden of proof
A1自分の言ったことが真実だと証明する責任のことです。何かを主張する人は、それを証明しなければなりません。
charge
A1警察や裁判所が、誰かが犯罪を犯したと公式に疑いをかけることだよ。
clause
A1契約書や法律文書の中の、特定の条件や規則を説明する部分のことを条項といいます。
compensation
A1損失や怪我、苦痛などに対する埋め合わせとして支払われる金銭のことです。
compliance
A1Compliance is the act of following a rule, law, or specific order. It is most often used to describe when a person or a company obeys legal requirements or safety standards.
confidentiality
A1Confidentiality means keeping information secret or private. It is a rule that says you cannot tell other people's secrets to anyone else.
conviction
A1裁判で有罪だと確定すること。または、固い信念という意味もあるよ。
copyright
A1作ったもの（本や歌など）を、他の人が勝手にコピーしたり使ったりできないようにする権利のこと。制作者だけが管理できるんだ。
