detain

[ dih-teyn ]
See synonyms for: detaindetaineddetaining on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to keep from proceeding; keep waiting; delay.

  2. to keep under restraint or in custody.

  1. Obsolete. to keep back or withhold, as from a person.

Origin of detain

1
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”

Other words for detain

Other words from detain

  • de·tain·a·ble, adjective
  • de·tain·ment, noun
  • pre·de·tain, verb (used with object)
  • un·de·tain·a·ble, adjective
  • un·de·tained, adjective

Words Nearby detain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use detain in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for detain

detain

/ (dɪˈteɪn) /


verb(tr)
  1. to delay; hold back; stop

  2. to confine or hold in custody; restrain

  1. archaic to retain or withhold

Origin of detain

1
C15: from Old French detenir, from Latin dētinēre to hold off, keep back, from de- + tenēre to hold

Derived forms of detain

  • detainable, adjective
  • detainee (ˌdiːteɪˈniː), noun
  • detainment, noun

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