A state of being confined (usually for a short time):
— He is in the custody of police.

synonyms: detainment, detention, hold.

Roget 781: retention; retaining etc. v.; keep, detention, custody; tenacity, firm hold, grasp, gripe, grip, iron grip.    fangs, teeth, claws, talons, nail, unguis, hook, tentacle, tenaculum; bond etc. (vinculum) 45.    clutches, tongs, forceps, pincers, nippers, pliers, vice.    paw, hand, finger, wrist, fist, neaf^†, neif^†.    bird in hand; captive etc. 754.    ... show more

Roget 664: safety, security, surety, impregnability; invulnerability, invulnerableness etc. adj.; danger past, danger over; storm blown over; coast clear; escape etc. 671; means of escape; blow valve, safety valve, release valve, sniffing valve; safeguard, palladium.    guardianship, wardship, wardenship; tutelage, custody, safekeeping; preservation etc. 670; protection, auspices.    safe-conduct, escort, convoy; guard, shield etc. (defense) 717; guardian angel; tutelary god, tutelary deity, tutelary saint; genius loci.    protector, guardian; warden, warder; preserver, custodian, duenna [Sp.], chaperon, third person.    watchdog, bandog^†; Cerberus; watchman, patrolman, policeman; cop [Slang], dick [Slang], fuzz [Slang], smokey [Slang], peeler [Slang], zarp [Slang]; sentinel, sentry, scout etc. (warning) 668; garrison; guardship^†.    [Means of safety] refuge &c., anchor etc. 666; precaution etc. (preparation) 673; quarantine, cordon sanitaire [Fr.].    [Sense of security]. confidence etc. 858 ... show more

Roget 751: restraint; hindrance etc. 706; coercion etc. (compulsion) 744; cohibition^†, constraint, repression, suppression; discipline, control.    confinement; durance, duress; imprisonment; incarceration, coarctation^†, entombment, mancipation^†, durance vile, limbo, captivity; blockade.    arrest, arrestation^†; custody, keep, care, charge, ward, restringency^†.    curb etc. (means of restraint) 752; lettres de cachet [Fr.].    limitation, restriction, protection, monopoly; prohibition etc. 761.    prisoner etc. 754; repressionist^†.    ... show more

Dutch: aanhouding, arrest, bewaring, hechtenis

Holding by the police.

with `in' Guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child:
— Your guests are now in my custody.
— The mother was awarded custody of the children.

synonym: hands.

Polish: kuratela, opieka