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

Espinosa said the detention facility’s rural location will put a stranglehold on transparency and communication. — Noah Vinsky july 25, Charlotte Observer, 26 July 2026

The California Democrat cited the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant as the basis for Netanyahu’s detention, and called on Trump to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin as well. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of operating while under the influence, according to a Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office arrest-detention report first obtained by ABC affiliate station WISN-TV. — ABC News, 24 July 2026

Johnson was arrested and faces charges of evading arrest/detention and discharging a firearm, police said. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 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