detain
verb (used with object)
to keep from proceeding; keep waiting; delay.
were detaining
-
past progressiveof detain.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
California Highway Patrol officers were detaining the protesters, leading them to over two dozen police cruisers on the freeway.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 13, 2023
She asked officers why they were detaining her, but they didn’t answer.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 4, 2023
At the same time, Mexican authorities were detaining some migrants.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 20, 2021
As the police were detaining him, he handed Yvette his phone and asked her to call his mom.
From Slate ● Aug. 4, 2020
This answer, which showed a knowledge of men that Joseph did not know he possessed, satisfied both Cleophas and Khuza, and perceiving that they were detaining Joseph they rose to go.
From The Brook Kerith A Syrian story by George (George Augustus) Moore
