detain
verb (used with object)
to keep from proceeding; keep waiting; delay.
had detained
-
past perfectof detain.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I saw the arrogance in the eyes of those settlers, 21- and 22-year-olds with guns, laughing that they had detained us,” Khanna said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026
South Korea’s coast guard said they had detained a Chinese man in his 60s with the surname Dong in waters off the west coast of the peninsula.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026
Stirling told the BBC that she believed the UAE had detained people for filming missiles as they "want to maintain the facade that it is safe for tourists".
From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2026
He repeated the mistake in December, touting how the FBI had detained a person of interest in the shooting at Brown University who was later cleared of any connection to the deadly crime.
From Salon ● Feb. 14, 2026
I also learned that our house had been raided and the police had detained a young relative of Winnie’s.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
