detainment

American  

[dih-teyn-muhnt] / dɪˈteɪn mənt /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of detainment

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

Example Sentences

To a pastor released after a warrantless detainment.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026

The detainment of the pair sparked protests outside the detention facility where they were being held, and led to a national outcry.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

The case has been closely monitored by human rights groups including Amal Clooney's Clooney Foundation for Justice, which in October questioned the lengthy detainment, citing "repeated postponements and slow progress".

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Neither Michigan nor Moore have commented publicly on what happened next, but the firing appears to have set into motion the chain of events that led to Moore’s police detainment later that day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025

None spoke of Citra’s detainment, or her escape to the Chilargentine Region, but some did joke with Marie about that embarrassing journal entry.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman