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

The detainment spawned an intense reaction from immigrant and labor activists, becoming a flash point early in the protests around California.

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But local lawmakers and residents have railed against the detainments, which the federal government has dubbed "Operation Charlotte's Web".

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It appears this is what led to their detainment by the Iranian authorities.

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At one point, he interrupted the proceeding, saying, “Can I mention something about detainment?” before his attorney, Steve Haney, cut him off.

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Organizers knew within 15 minutes of her detainment that she had been picked up, said Sergio Jimenez, a lead organizer with the organization.

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