detain

American  

[dih-teyn] / dɪˈteɪn /

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.

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detain British  

/ ˌdiːteɪˈniː, dɪˈteɪn /

verb

1. to delay; hold back; stop

2. to confine or hold in custody; restrain

3. archaic to retain or withhold

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Other Word Forms

• detainable adjective
• detainee noun
• detainment noun
• predetain verb (used with object)
• undetainable adjective
• undetained adjective

Etymology

Origin of detain

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”

Example Sentences

Tuggar's spokesperson told the BBC that the detained personnel had been released and were due to return to Nigeria, without saying when.

From BBC

At the time the lawsuit was filed, more than 800 people were detained in the facility, lawyers said.

From Los Angeles Times

In early November, ICE agents detained a man at the Cypress Park location and then drove off with his toddler in the back of the vehicle.

From Los Angeles Times

Two crew members, a Latvian and a Bulgarian, whose identities had been signalled to France by the Italian authorities, were detained last week.

From Barron's

They include "those who have not succeeded and refuse to communicate, those who are hospitalised, those who are under arrest or detained", the director general said.

From Barron's

Related Words

• apprehend
• confine
• delay
• jail