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

Espionage Arrests In the past few weeks, Iran has detained over 700 people accused of spying for Israel and the U.S., with state media reporting at least six executions, including three Kurds accused of aiding Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence agency. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

She was detained, and police found her unarmed, court records state. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025

Until recently, federal agents working to enforce his orders have detained more immigrants with criminal convictions or pending criminal charges than those without them each week, the data shows. —Julia Ingram, CBS News, 30 June 2025

In Florida, three had been detained at the Krome Detention Center, one at the Broward Transitional Center and one at the federal detention center in downtown Miami. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025

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