detain

[ dih-teyn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to keep from proceeding; keep waiting; delay.

   Synonyms: check, stay, stop, hinder, slow, retard

2. to keep under restraint or in custody.
3. Obsolete. to keep back or withhold, as from a person.

detain

/ ˌdiːteɪˈniː; dɪˈteɪn /

verb

1. to delay; hold back; stop
2. to confine or hold in custody; restrain
3. archaic.
   to retain or withhold

Derived Forms

• deˈtainment, noun
• deˈtainable, adjective
• detainee, noun

Other Words From

• de·tain·a·ble adjective
• de·tain·ment noun
• pre·de·tain verb (used with object)
• un·de·tain·a·ble adjective
• un·de·tained adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of detain¹

First recorded in 1480–90; detainen, from Anglo-French, Old French detenir, from unattested Vulgar Latin dētenīre, for Latin dētinēre, equivalent to dē- de- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre “to hold”

Word History and Origins

Origin of detain¹

C15: from Old French detenir, from Latin dētinēre to hold off, keep back, from de- + tenēre to hold

Example Sentences

Individuals with outstanding arrest warrants have been detained during the sweeps.

From Los Angeles Times

Under the law, city employees and city property may not be used to “investigate, cite, arrest, hold, transfer or detain any person” for the purpose of immigration enforcement.

From Los Angeles Times

Four of those detained on Tuesday are soldiers and one is a police officer, local media reported.

From BBC

The protesters had set up tents and barriers at a major junction near Tbilisi State University and security and riot police detained a number of people as they moved in to clear the area.

From BBC

An Australian mining company said it would pay the military government of Mali $160 million after the authorities detained three of its executives for over a week in a dispute about taxes.

From New York Times

Related Words

• apprehend
• confine
• delay
• jail