1. (

• detention ,
• detainment ,
• hold ,
• 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" ;

2. (

• custody ,

) holding by the police; "the suspect is in custody" ;

3. (

• hands ,
• custody ,

) (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" ;