custody

/ˈkʌstədi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkʌstədi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkə-stə-dē/ (ame, mw)

custody — noun

1. When parents divorce or separate, a court decides which parent has the right and

1.名詞B2
釋義

When parents divorce or separate, a court decides which parent has the right and duty to raise the children — this legal authority is called custody.

例句

After the divorce, Quan's mother was given custody of him and his sister.

collocation: given custody of

The court granted joint custody, so the children live with each parent half the time.

collocation: granted joint custody

同義詞
  • guardianship

    Broader term; applies to adults caring for children who are not their own, often after a parent's death

  • parental responsibility

    UK legal term that covers the same idea; more formal and comprehensive

  • care

    Informal and less specific — 'care' does not carry the same legal weight as 'custody'

反義詞
  • visitation

    Limited, scheduled time with the child, without the right to make daily decisions

用法筆記

Often paired with a possessive or a prepositional phrase showing who has the right: 'custody of the child', 'her custody', 'their father's custody'. The two main types are physical custody (where the child lives) and legal custody (who makes important decisions).

常見錯誤

❌My ex-husband has visitation rights, so the children live with him every week.
✅My ex-husband has visitation rights, so the children stay with him every other weekend.
💡Visitation is limited time with the child, not the same as full-time custody.

2. The condition of being held by the police or kept in a locked cell, especially w

2.名詞B2
釋義

The condition of being held by the police or kept in a locked cell, especially while the legal system decides whether to charge you with a crime.

例句

The suspect was taken into custody shortly after the robbery.

collocation: taken into custody

Walid spent three days in police custody before being released without charge.

collocation: in police custody

同義詞
  • detention

    Broader term; can be used for any official holding, including in schools or immigration centres

  • remand

    Specifically refers to being kept in prison while awaiting trial in British legal contexts

  • confinement

    More general; does not necessarily imply police or legal authority

  • imprisonment

    Usually refers to a sentence after conviction, not pre-trial detention

反義詞
  • release

    Being set free from police or legal control

  • bail

    Temporary freedom granted while awaiting trial, often after paying money as a guarantee

用法筆記

Typically used in the phrase 'in custody' or 'into custody'. Collocates with police, prison, court, and trial. Often describes temporary detention before a court appearance, not a long prison sentence.

常見錯誤

❌The thief was sentenced to custody for three years.
✅The thief was sentenced to prison for three years.
💡'Custody' in this sense refers to pre-trial detention, not a final punishment.