detention

[ dih-ten-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of detaining.
2. the state of being detained.
3. maintenance of a person in custody or confinement, especially while awaiting a court decision.
4. the withholding of what belongs to or is claimed by another.

adjective

1. of or relating to detention or used to detain:

   the detention room of a police station.

detention

/ dɪˈtɛnʃən /

noun

1. the act of detaining or state of being detained
2. 1. custody or confinement, esp of a suspect awaiting trial
   2. ( as modifier )

      a detention order

3. a form of punishment in which a pupil is detained after school
4. the withholding of something belonging to or claimed by another

Other Words From

• nonde·tention noun
• prede·tention noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of detention¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin dētentiōn- (stem of dētentiō ), equivalent to dētent ( us ) detained (past participle of dētinēre; detain ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of detention¹

C16: from Latin dētentiō a keeping back; see detain

Example Sentences

After a short spell under house arrest, she was placed in pre-trial detention.

From BBC

The magistrate allowed their detention after police said they were still making inquiries on the matter.

From BBC

Advocates also plan to push back against efforts to expand immigrant detention facilities and ensure the state utilizes its watchdog powers.

From Los Angeles Times

Attorney’s office has requested that the two be held in detention before they are set to face trial on Dec. 30.

From Los Angeles Times

In the name of national security, President George W. Bush issued an order that authorized the indefinite detention of prisoners in what quickly came to be known as the Global War on Terror.

From Salon

Related Words

• arrest
• custody
• delay
• incarceration
• internment
• quarantine