detention

noun

de·​ten·​tion di-ˈten-chən 

1

: the act or fact of detaining or holding back

especially : a holding in custody

the detention of suspects

2

: the state of being detained

Some protesters were held in detention.

especially : a period of temporary custody prior to disposition by a court

3

: a punishment in which a student is required to stay at school for a period of time beyond normal class hours

Synonyms of detention

• imprisonment
• incarceration

Examples of detention in a Sentence

the detention of suspected terrorists

The jail is only used for brief detentions.

They both got three detentions this year.

He got detention for being late to class.

Recent Examples on the Web

Within hours he was put in ICE custody and moved to a detention facility outside the state, authorities said. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

Shortly after her departure, the White House pushed Noem and Lewandowski out of the department amid scandals connected to the department’s purchases of a luxury airplane, advertising, and immigrant detention contracts. — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026

The state attorney general says local law enforcement can’t typically pursue such detentions without a warrant signed by a judge. — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026

The defense acknowledged that Pretrial Services recommended detention over concerns about Zhang's potential failure to appear in court, but argued that strict release conditions would adequately address those concerns. — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English detencion, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin detention-, detentio, from detinēre to detain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing detention

• detention center
• detention home
• in detention

Rhymes for detention

• attention
• contention
• convention
• declension
• dimension
• dissension
• distension
• extension
• intension
• invention
• laurentian
• prehension

Kids Definition

detention

noun

de·​ten·​tion di-ˈten-chən 

: the act of detaining : the state of being detained: as

a

: temporary custody before a trial

b

: the punishment of being kept in after school

Legal Definition

detention

noun

de·​ten·​tion

1

: the act or fact of detaining or holding back

especially : a holding in custody

2

: the state of being detained

especially : a period of temporary custody prior to a trial or hearing see also preventive detention