detain

[dih-teyn]

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.

detain

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of detain¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of detain¹

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

Example Sentences

Bad Bunny is a U.S. citizen, like many of the folks with no criminal records who’ve been detained and even deported.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

County’s juvenile halls in 2018 and found probation officers were using pepper spray excessively, failing to provide proper educational and therapeutic programming and detaining youths in solitary confinement for far too long.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Security forces cracked down on protests after the vote, with many people detained.

Read more on BBC

PARIS—French authorities detained crew members of a tanker carrying Russian crude oil and are investigating whether it played a role in last week’s drone incursions in Denmark.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Jen Monaco and Maya Willis said they’ve also felt pulled to the site to keep an eye on the troops and show support for those being detained.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apprehend 
• confine 
• delay 
• jail