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
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
Federal agents and law enforcement officers responded to the airport, but officials have not disclosed the passenger’s identity, whether any charges have been filed or what specific actions led to the detention.
—
Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Now, the $100,000 that was not used to help families affected by immigration detentions will instead be allocated to the city’s Innovative Housing Program to support low-income households with repairs, rent, utilities, and housing counseling.
—Yuliana Montiel, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Each of them was taken to Kentucky jails for detention, but the government separated them and held them in different facilities.
—Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Sanctuary laws prohibit local police from notifying federal immigration agents about undocumented immigrants and detaining them beyond release dates for transfer to immigration detention facilities or deportation.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for detention
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Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Now, the $100,000 that was not used to help families affected by immigration detentions will instead be allocated to the city’s Innovative Housing Program to support low-income households with repairs, rent, utilities, and housing counseling.
—Yuliana Montiel, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Each of them was taken to Kentucky jails for detention, but the government separated them and held them in different facilities.
—Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Sanctuary laws prohibit local police from notifying federal immigration agents about undocumented immigrants and detaining them beyond release dates for transfer to immigration detention facilities or deportation.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for detention
Cite this Entry
“Detention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detention. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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