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.

---

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

---

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

Mark Sedlander, a defense attorney, said the agents, and at least one deputy U.S. marshal, surrounded and detained his client, Orlando Olivar, shortly after U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

At this point of the season, the show has traversed a number of topics, including healthcare costs — a running theme — drug addiction, multiple traumatic incidents and detained immigrants, which comes to the fore here.

From Los Angeles Times

Zhang is known in legal circles for his defense of Christians in China, including work that led him to be detained by authorities for months beginning in 2015.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ramos made headlines in January when a photo emerged of the 5-year-old with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer while other officers attempted to detain his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, at their home in Minneapolis.

From Salon

Dylan Contreras, 21, was detained last May after attending an immigration hearing at a New York City court and then transferred to a detention facility in Pennsylvania, sparking a widespread backlash.

From Barron's

Related Words

• apprehend
• confine
• delay
• jail