detention center

American  

[dih-ten-shuhn sen-ter] / dɪˈtɛn ʃən ˌsɛn tər /

noun

1. a facility maintained by the civil authorities for persons charged with a crime, immigrants awaiting deportation rulings, or sometimes witnesses before a trial.

2. juvenile detention center.

---

Etymology

Origin of detention center

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

At the detention center, he said, agents have told him they’ll still find a way to deport him — if not to Cuba, then maybe Panama or Costa Rica.

From Los Angeles Times

The decision concluded the final merits hearing of his immigration case and marked the 60th day of his detention at the Bluebonnet Detention Center.

From Salon

A blue and white five-starred Honduran flag wavered in the breeze, one of many symbols marking the deaths this week of 39 immigrants who were trapped in a fire at a detention center in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

From Los Angeles Times

Sanabria said, alluding to the detention center fire.

From Los Angeles Times

Mexican authorities have shut down the detention center and arrested five people over the migrants' deaths, including INM staff, a private security agent, and a Venezuelan accused of starting the fire.

From Reuters