detain

American  

[dih-teyn] / dɪˈteɪn /

verb (used with object)

• detains,
  present (3rd person singular)
• detained,
  past participle,  past
• detaining
  present participle

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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Participles

• detaining
  present
• detained
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• detain
  simple
• detains
  simple
• have detained
  perfect
• has detained
  perfect
• am detaining
  progressive
• are detaining
  progressive
• is detaining
  progressive
• have been detaining
  perfect progressive
• has been detaining
  perfect progressive

Past

• detained
  simple
• had detained
  perfect
• was detaining
  progressive
• were detaining
  progressive
• had been detaining
  perfect progressive

Future

• will detain
  simple
• will have detained
  perfect
• will be detaining
  progressive
• will have been detaining
  perfect progressive

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”

Explanation

When you detain someone, you hold them back, slow them down, or stop them from moving on. If you are detained by the police, you may be late for the big football game, even if you were speeding to get there by the kickoff. There are lots of words that contain the root tain, like contain and retain. These come from Latin tenere, which means "to hold." Detain is specifically used when you're talking about holding someone so they can't go anywhere. It's often used in discussions involving the police who detain people who they think might be guilty. But you can use detain, say, when you're explaining why you were late: "I was detained at the office by a conference call that wouldn't end. Sorry."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

detain detains detained detaining

They find various reasons to detain it, no matter how new the vessel is or its actual condition, say seafarers and one ship manager who work on vessels regularly going to Chinese ports.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Mamdani admitted he was not sure if he has the power to order the New York Police Department to detain a foreign leader but is discussing the matter with the city's legal team.

From Barron's ● Jul. 18, 2026

Under the ordinance, city employees and city property may not be used to “investigate, cite, arrest, hold, transfer or detain any person” for the purpose of immigration enforcement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

This week, the justices announced they’ll be taking up a consequential case next term: How long can ICE detain lawful green-card holders without providing the opportunity to post bond?

From Slate ● Jun. 18, 2026

They won't lift a finger to help Xenocrates, or to detain you.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Immigration and Customs Enforcement detains immigrants for civil purposes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026

Speaking to shareholders during a private meeting last year, the CEO of Akima’s parent company, John Aġnaaqłuk Lincoln, said the company cares about the welfare of the people it detains nationwide.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 14, 2026

Marine, temporarily detains someone, the question is: Is that person free to go?

From Slate ● Sep. 3, 2025

Apparently, the administration is casting a very wide net as it detains and deports people.

From Salon ● May 25, 2025

How very kind Mr. Brooke is, and how fortunate that Mr. Laurence’s business detains him near you so long, since he is so useful to you and Father.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Those held by Customs and Border Protection near the border, or by ICE in the country’s interior, are civilly detained for the purpose of removal proceedings.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

In fact, scores of American citizens have been abducted off the street and detained.

From Salon ● Aug. 6, 2026

His late father, Peter, was recruited as a listener after fleeing Germany where he was detained in Buchenwald concentration camp.

From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026

The paper added court employees were also detained and questioned, with them claiming the main suspect had told them he worked for one of Egypt's judicial authorities.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

This time Winnie was not being arrested, or detained, or interrogated; she was being banished to a remote township in the Free State called Brandfort.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Authorities are detaining people and warning such acts could be considered treason.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

It’s not uncommon for ICE agents to use unmarked cars and wear masks as they attempt arrests, and advocacy groups say the tactic means people often aren’t aware that it’s federal agents detaining them.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

The ruling was issued as part of a class-action lawsuit filed by noncitizens challenging ICE’s recent practice of making arrests at immigration courthouses and detaining people for extended periods in facilities designed for short-term holds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

Beijing has been accused of detaining more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslims since 2017, part of a campaign that the United Nations previously said could constitute crimes against humanity.

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

“Matant, they said they are detaining her,” I say.

From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi

Related Words

• apprehend
• confine
• delay
• jail