detention

1 the state of being held in lawful custody <he's been in detention since the arrest> Synonyms detainer, detainment, hold, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration Related Words captivity, confinement, internment; apprehension, arrest, arrestment, bust [slang], collar, pinch; capture, entrapment, seizure; enchainment, restraint Near Antonyms emancipation, freedom, liberation Antonyms discharge, release

2 an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business <an inane joke about a bomb netted the airline passenger no laughs, only a two-hour detention that caused him to miss his flight> Synonyms detainment, delay, holdback, holding pattern, holdup, waitRelated Words deferment, deferral, postponement; reprieve, respite; foot-dragging, hesitation, lag, pause, setback, slowdownNear Antonyms haste, rush; dispatch, promptitude, promptness