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

Parents can help their kids get invested with fewer withdrawal restrictions than 529 and 530A accounts through custodial brokerage accounts known as UTMA or UGMA accounts. — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026

For other crimes, the average custodial sentence has risen from 13 months in 2005 to 21 months in 2023. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

Avici, a self-custodial neobank affected by this incident, reported 1,685 users and $500,859 in card balances gone, and the company pledged full refunds to those affected. — Shawn Yu, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Wilmington College said in a statement that Barker worked for a vendor and that the school’s relationship with the custodial services contractor has since been terminated. — Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026

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