cus·to·dy/`kʌstədɪ; ˈkʌstədi/ n [U] 1 the right to take care of a child, given by a court when the child's parents are legally separated 〔父母离异后由法院判给的对孩子的〕监护权: My ex-wife has custody of the kids. 我的前妻有孩子的监护权。 2 in custody being kept in prison until you go to court 〔上庭前〕被拘留[扣押]