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

Although Romero León was able to board the bus on April 11, he said he was almost immediately pulled off by Mexican authorities at a checkpoint and placed into a detention center.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

The couple would spend nine hours driving from North Carolina to visit their son, who was being held at a detention center in south Georgia.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 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

Being of simple mind, Dana probably had thought only of his unexpected good fortune as the laundry basket was loaded into the laundry truck, which was then driven out the gates of the detention center.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen