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

People detained around South Florida are also brought there temporarily before being relocated to other local, long-term detention facilities. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents mistakenly detained a US citizen in a Chicago suburb Sunday morning, leaving him on the ground with various injuries, according to local authorities. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026

An Australian business executive who headed the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar has been released from jail after being detained for more than 100 days over financial misappropriation allegations, a legal official said Wednesday. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

In the immediate aftermath, Chinese authorities froze the company’s bank accounts and detained the factory owner and several managers pending the outcome of the safety investigation. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for detain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

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