detain

verb

de·​tain di-ˈtān 

dē-

detained; detaining; detains

transitive verb

1

: to hold or keep in or as if in custody

detained by the police for questioning

2

obsolete : to keep back (something due) : withhold

3

: to restrain especially from proceeding

was detained by a flat tire

detainment

di-ˈtān-mənt 

dē-

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for detain

keep, retain, detain, withhold, reserve mean to hold in one's possession or under one's control.

keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control.

keep this while I'm gone

retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss.

managed to retain their dignity even in poverty

detain suggests a delay in letting go.

detained them for questioning

withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go.

withheld information from the authorities

reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use.

reserve some of your energy for the last mile

delay, retard, slow, slacken, detain mean to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress.

delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

treatment that retards tumor growth

slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention

she closed her eyes and slowed her breathing

, slacken an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

Examples of detain in a Sentence

They were detained by the police for questioning.

He claimed he had been illegally detained.

Unexpected business had detained her.

Recent Examples on the Web

The suspect was detained on Wednesday and the investigation is ongoing, the office said. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024

One of them joked that I might be detained once inside. —TIME, 17 Apr. 2024

In all five years, African American juveniles were detained at a significantly higher rate than white youth. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2024

Then, in February 2022, the couple’s world was turned upside down after Brittney was detained in Russia — where she was supposed to play in an off-season basketball game — for drug charges. —Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024

Advertisement When the pursuit ended, police detained both occupants of the vehicle: Los Angeles resident Nathen Sanchez, 18, and a 12-year-old girl, whose name was not released. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Rosario was detained after a 14-year-old San Diego County girl was found at his barracks on base, which is at the north end of the county, on June 28. —Bill Feather, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024

The man came out of the apartment just before 5 a.m. and was detained by deputies. —Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 10 Apr. 2024

These centers have taken a fair bit of pressure off emergency departments in North County, providing an alternate drop-off location for those detained on 5150 holds made under the previous criteria that includes behavior that could endanger self or others in addition to grave disability. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deteynen, from Anglo-French deteign-, stem of detenir, modification of Latin detinēre, from de- + tenēre to hold — more at thin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

detain

verb

de·​tain di-ˈtān 

1

: to hold or keep in or as if in prison

2

: to prevent from proceeding : stop

was detained by a flat tire

detainment

-mənt 

noun

Legal Definition

detain

transitive verb

de·​tain

1

: to hold or keep in custody or possession

property wrongfully detained

a juvenile detained in a care facility

2

: to restrain from proceeding

detained the driver and asked to see his license