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

A person who was seen distributing fliers demanding an independent investigation and government accountability was detained by national-security police on Saturday, and has since been released on bail, the rights group said.

From The Wall Street Journal

R.V. is among what immigration attorneys describe as an escalating trend: some immigrants who win protection from deportation to their home countries are being detained indefinitely.

From Los Angeles Times

Bdap was granted refugee status by the United Nations but he had been detained in a Bangkok prison since December when he was jailed for staying in the country without proper travel documents.

From Barron's

Ethiopia has also revoked visa exemptions and police routinely detain people lacking the necessary paperwork, aid officials say.

From The Wall Street Journal

Police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on suspicion of sedition on Saturday.

From BBC

Related Words

• apprehend
• confine
• delay
• jail