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
The Seminole Police Department previously told Newsbeat it had detained two people in connection with the incident.
From BBC ● Apr. 13, 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
Police and prosecutors said they had detained an Egyptian, three Moroccans and a Syrian over the alleged plot.
From Barron's ● Dec. 20, 2025
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
