custody

Noun

• (with `in') guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
  • my fate is in your hands
    
  • too much power in the president's hands
    
  • your guests are now in my custody
    
  • the mother was awarded custody of the children
    

• holding by the police
  • the suspect is in custody
    

• a state of being confined (usually for a short time)
  • his detention was politically motivated
    
  • the prisoner is on hold
    
  • he is in the custody of police
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  hands , detention , detainment , hold