custodial

Requiring someone to spend time in prison as punishment.

• The judge imposed a custodial sentence.
• He received a two-year custodial term for fraud.
• Does this offence usually carry a custodial sentence?

Opposites: noncustodial

Common phrases: custodial sentence, custodial punishment, custodial term

Relating to the legal responsibility for looking after a child, especially after the parents separate.

• The child’s mother is the custodial parent.
• The court reviewed the father’s custodial rights.
• They agreed on a new custodial arrangement after their divorce.

Similar words: parental

Opposites: noncustodial

Common phrases: custodial parent, custodial rights, custodial arrangement

Involving looking after someone or protecting something for another person.

• The hospital provides custodial care for older patients.
• Her savings are held in a custodial account.
• The bank charges a fee for custodial services.

Similar words: protective

Common phrases: custodial care, custodial account, custodial services

Happening while a person is being held by the police or in prison.

• A lawyer attended the custodial interrogation.
• The report examined three custodial deaths.
• Officers were investigated after allegations of custodial abuse.

Common phrases: custodial interrogation, custodial death, custodial abuse