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.

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Etymology

Origin of detention center

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

But long before he reached the border, his attorney said, he was pulled off the bus by Mexican authorities for not having sufficient documents and placed into a detention center.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

Local groups that oppose ICE’s efforts celebrated the ruling and pledged to continue applying pressure until there is a permanent ruling ensuring the building will never operate as a detention center.

From Slate • Apr. 27, 2026

"Our priority is to get her out of this detention center and repatriate her to France. Given her health, she won't last a month in such conditions of detention," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

It also includes a massive detention center to be built in New Hampshire that can hold tens of thousands of detainees.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

The Thursday night before, he had gotten a letter from his father, who was still in Florida at the detention center.

From "Harbor Me" by Jacqueline Woodson