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

According to Howard, a custodial brokerage account lets parents invest on behalf of their child. —Sarah Scott, Parents, 20 Feb. 2025

Last year, the district twice turned to taxpayers for help, seeking support for basic needs such as utilities, transportation, staffing and custodial supplies. —Anna Clark, ProPublica, 18 Feb. 2025

The company has been making efforts to diversify its revenue streams away from trading through services such as staking, stablecoins and custodial revenue. —Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2025

The two cases list women based in Minnesota as custodial parents of the children. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

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