detainment

[dih-teyn-muhnt]

noun

1. the condition of being under restraint or in custody; imprisonment.

   Participants also risk arrest and possible detainment in an already overflowing jail.

2. the condition of being delayed or kept from proceeding.

   We were finally allowed to cross the border after six hours of detainment.

Word History and Origins

Origin of detainment¹

detain ( def. ) + -ment ( def. )

Example Sentences

County Board of Supervisors is considering issuing a state of emergency to provide the board with more power to assist those affected by the deluge of detainments and deportations.

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O’Keefe’s video documenting his detainment circulated on social media over the weekend.

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Then, this summer, federal immigration enforcement raids led many undocumented workers to leave their posts over fear of detainment.

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On his first call to his son after the detainment, Barranco was less concerned with his injuries and more concerned with his job.

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Martinez is of a handful of American citizens whose arrest or detainment by immigration officers over the past week have gained widespread attention.

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