detention

American  

[dih-ten-shuhn] / dɪˈtɛn ʃən /

noun

1. the act of detaining.

2. the state of being detained.

3. maintenance of a person in custody or confinement, especially while awaiting a court decision.

4. the withholding of what belongs to or is claimed by another.

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adjective

1. of or relating to detention or used to detain.

   the detention room of a police station.

detention British  

/ dɪˈtɛnʃən /

noun

1. the act of detaining or state of being detained

2. 1. custody or confinement, esp of a suspect awaiting trial

   2. ( as modifier )

      a detention order

3. a form of punishment in which a pupil is detained after school

4. the withholding of something belonging to or claimed by another

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Other Word Forms

• nondetention noun
• predetention noun

Etymology

Origin of detention

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin dētentiōn- (stem of dētentiō ), equivalent to dētent ( us ) detained (past participle of dētinēre; detain ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

The detentions took place on Tuesday, according to a statement by the church and overseas human-rights groups.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ryan Turner's visa was cancelled on character grounds and he was taken into immigration detention on Tuesday.

From BBC

A federal judge recently dismissed the case against the driver, finding that he had been denied access to counsel while in immigration detention.

From Los Angeles Times

The union called the incidents "alarming" and called for the release of 23 media workers who remain in detention in the country.

From BBC

Laboni Hoq, a chief attorney on the case, said the goal is to keep Khan out of detention while the team seeks to adjust her status.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrest
• custody
• delay
• incarceration
• internment
• quarantine