safe custody

Meanings

1. 1noununcountableformallegal

   the state of being kept locked up or guarded by an official body so that something cannot be lost, stolen or damaged.

   Grammar: Used as an uncountable phrase, usually after 'in': the documents are in safe custody. It does not take 'a' or a plural.

   Patterns

   • in safe custody
   • hold something in safe custody
   • place something in safe custody
   • keep something in safe custody

   The original will is held in safe custody by the family solicitor.

   Valuable paintings were placed in safe custody while the gallery was rebuilt.

   The court ordered that the child remain in the safe custody of her grandmother.

2. 2noununcountablefinancespecialist

   the keeping of money, shares or other assets by a bank or similar institution on a client's behalf.

   Grammar: A technical finance use; it usually follows 'in' and often appears with 'hold' or 'keep'.

   Patterns

   • hold assets in safe custody
   • be in safe custody
   • a safe custody account

   The bank holds the shares in safe custody for its clients.

   Investors pay a small annual fee for safe custody of their bonds.

   Under the agreement, the dealer keeps the certificates in safe custody.

3. 3noununcountablelegalformal

   the state of being kept in prison or in police control, especially while awaiting trial or while a decision is made.

   Grammar: A legal use; it appears mainly in phrases such as 'in safe custody' or 'remand in safe custody'.

   Patterns

   • in safe custody
   • remand someone in safe custody
   • be held in safe custody

   The suspect was remanded in safe custody until the hearing.

   He spent two months in safe custody before the charges were dropped.

4. 4noununcountableformal

   the state of being watched over carefully so that no harm can come to someone or something.

   Grammar: A general, slightly old-fashioned use; it still follows 'in' and sounds formal.

   Patterns

   • in safe custody
   • keep someone in safe custody

   The crown jewels were left in safe custody overnight.

   The rescued animals are in safe custody at a wildlife center.

Common combinations

hold something in safe custody

The museum holds the letters in safe custody.

place something in safe custody

Please place your passport in safe custody before the trip.

remand someone in safe custody

The judge remanded him in safe custody for a week.

in the safe custody of someone

The deed is in the safe custody of the bank.

safe custody account

She opened a safe custody account for her share certificates.

Synonyms and how they differ

protective custody

This usually means an official is protecting a person, often someone at risk, rather than simply storing objects safely.

safekeeping

This is the everyday word for keeping things safe; it is less formal and rarely used for people in prison.

detention

This means being kept in official control, often in a prison or center, but it does not carry the idea of protection that 'safe custody' does.

Opposites

Word family

custody noun

the legal right to care for a child, or the state of being held by the police.

custodial adjective

relating to keeping something or someone in official care, as in a custodial sentence.

custodian noun

a person who looks after or guards something, such as a building or a collection.

Commonly confused: safe custody or custardy? safe custody or custody?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “safe custody”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words