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

HRC President Kelley Robinson said, “This moment should serve as a wake-up call to every American who cares about civil liberties: when journalists can be detained for covering protests, none of us are safe.”

From Salon

Explaining the decision, Homan said there are now "more officers taking custody of criminal aliens directly from the jails" rather than detaining them on the streets -- efforts that require fewer personnel.

From Barron's

"All suspects have since been detained in lawful custody and will appear in court soon," DEC said in a statement.

From BBC

Following previous migrant crossings, Greek authorities have often confiscated communication equipment of those detained for making illegal crossings, while they investigate who - if anyone - had been a smuggler, not merely a paying passenger.

From BBC

That was the second clash that day between the two in Middle Eastern waters, after Iranian forces attempted to detain a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

From Barron's

Related Words

• apprehend
• confine
• delay
• jail