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 Word Forms

• nondetention noun
• predetention 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

"Both sides have deliberately targeted civilians through attacks, summary executions, arbitrary detention, torture, and inhuman treatment in detention facilities, including denial of food, sanitation, and medical care," said Fact-Finding Mission chair, Mohamed Chande Othman.

From BBC

It also raises questions about whether Canada has a responsibility to expedite entry for people in ICE detention who have ties to that country.

From BBC

"We have made every effort. We are exhausted. We visited every detention facility. We went to prisons and police stations at different levels - local, district and regional," he says.

From BBC

We spent a traumatic six days in detention.

From BBC

One of those previously arrested died in detention earlier this year, Grundberg said.

From BBC

Related Words

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