detention
noun
de·ten·tion
di-ˈten-chən 
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 disposition by a court
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
Both sides have also carried out arbitrary detentions, with SAF interrogating and beating dozens of Christians in 2024 and 2025.
—
Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Benitzhar remains in federal custody and is next scheduled to appear in district court Tuesday for a detention hearing.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
Law enforcement receiving those detention requests from ICE are required to hold people already in jail for a period of 48 hours if they’re suspected of being in the country illegally.
—Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025
International powers have repeatedly called for Machar’s release, warning his detention could tip the country back into civil war.
—CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
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Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Benitzhar remains in federal custody and is next scheduled to appear in district court Tuesday for a detention hearing.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
Law enforcement receiving those detention requests from ICE are required to hold people already in jail for a period of 48 hours if they’re suspected of being in the country illegally.
—Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025
International powers have repeatedly called for Machar’s release, warning his detention could tip the country back into civil war.
—CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
Cite this Entry
“Detention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detention. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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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