detainment

[ dih-teyn-muhnt ]

noun

1. the condition of being under restraint or in custody; imprisonment:

   Participants also risk arrest and possible detainment in an already overflowing jail.

2. the condition of being delayed or kept from proceeding:

   We were finally allowed to cross the border after six hours of detainment.

Word History and Origins

Origin of detainment¹

detain ( def ) + -ment ( def )

Example Sentences

A study by the organization found that people of African descent were disproportionately represented among people deported in recent years, Alemseged said, often because a low-level offense led to their detainment.

From Los Angeles Times

The idea of isolation and quarantine if you are infected is not new but section 138 has been described by critics as "forced detainment under quarantine".

From BBC

He also shared, and later deleted, a conspiracy theory about the UK building "detainment camps" on the Falkland Islands for rioters.

From BBC

During the August riots, Mr Musk shared, and later deleted, a conspiracy theory about the UK building “detainment camps” on the Falkland Islands for rioters, on X - the social media platform he owns.

From BBC

After Madsen’s detainment, the Los Angeles County District Attorney declined to file charges “due to insufficient evidence.”

From Los Angeles Times