Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for detention centre. Search instead for Detention+Centre.

detention centre

British  

noun

  1. a place where persons (typically asylum seekers, illegal immigrants, or people awaiting trial) may be detained for short periods by order of a court

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He ended up with around 350 other people at a detention centre near Heathrow airport outside London.

From Barron's Aug. 5, 2026

After being caught on the metro, the former bank worker was held for three days in a detention centre without a shower or change of clothes.

From Barron's Jun. 11, 2026

The appeal is not suspensive, meaning it does not immediately block the construction of the detention centre while the legal process is ongoing.

From BBC May 27, 2026

"France has committed to building this detention centre," a UK government spokesperson said.

From BBC May 27, 2026

Nicolas Fournier, the president of ADELFA, said although winning the lawsuit was "not certain", he was "still trying to hinder this process of building the detention centre with the appeal".

From BBC May 27, 2026

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training