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Meaning & use

to keep in custody

phrase·Advancedformallaw

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UK/tə ˌkiːp ɪn ˈkʌstədi/
US/tə ˌkiːp ɪn ˈkʌstədi/

Meanings

  1. phrasetransitiveformallaw

    to hold someone in official detention, especially while they are waiting for a trial or as a punishment

    Grammar: Takes an object: keep the suspect in custody. Often used in the passive: the suspect was kept in custody.

    Patterns

    • keep someone in custody
    • be kept in custody
    • keep someone in custody for something

    The judge decided to keep the defendant in custody until the trial.

    He was kept in custody for two weeks before being released on bail.

    Police can keep a person in custody for up to 24 hours without charge.

  2. phrasetransitiveformal

    to care for or protect something valuable by keeping it in a safe place or under official control

    Grammar: Takes an object, often an abstract thing like records or a collection: keep the documents in custody.

    Patterns

    • keep something in custody
    • be kept in custody

    The museum keeps the ancient manuscripts in custody.

    Important legal documents are kept in custody by the court.

Common combinations

keep someone in custody
The police decided to keep him in custody overnight.
be held in custody
She is being held in custody while the investigation continues.
in police custody
The suspect died while in police custody.
remand in custody
The judge remanded him in custody for a week.
release from custody
He was released from custody after paying bail.

Synonyms and how they differ

detain
Detain is a verb meaning to keep someone in official custody, often for a short time; it focuses on the act of holding, while 'keep in custody' emphasizes the ongoing state.
imprison
Imprison means to put someone in prison as punishment; it is stronger and usually implies a longer, more permanent confinement than 'keep in custody'.
hold
Hold is a general verb that can mean to keep someone in custody, but it is less formal and can also mean to support or contain; 'keep in custody' is more specific and official.

Opposites

releasefree

Word family

custody noun
The state of being kept in official detention or the legal right to care for a child.
custodial adjective
Relating to custody, especially a custodial sentence (prison) or custodial care.
custodian noun
A person who has responsibility for guarding or taking care of something.

Commonly confused: to keep in custody or keep in custody vs. take into custody?

to keep in custody vs keep in custody vs. take into custody

To 'take someone into custody' means to arrest or capture them and start holding them. To 'keep someone in custody' means to continue holding them after they are already in custody.

Practice

The suspect was ______ custody while the investigation continued.

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