detention center
noun
1
: a place where people who have entered a country illegally are kept for a period of time
2
: a place where people who have committed crimes are kept as punishment
She spent several months in a detention center for women.
a juvenile detention center
Examples of detention center in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ina’s parents – both American citizens – were forced from their San Francisco home and confined to the Tanforan racetrack detention center in San Bruno.
—
Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
The boy’s father, Adrián Alexander Conejo Arias, was also detained, and the pair were transferred to an immigration detention center outside San Antonio.
—Alessandra Schade, Time, 14 Feb. 2026
Rumors of a second site being considered by DHS were confirmed when the leaders of Oakwood told outlets a property in their town was being eyed for a 1,500-bed detention center that would act as a processing facility for detainees before they are taken to Social Circle.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
The controversial project The prospect of an ICE detention center in a Kansas City warehouse has drawn criticism and ire for weeks.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detention center
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Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
The boy’s father, Adrián Alexander Conejo Arias, was also detained, and the pair were transferred to an immigration detention center outside San Antonio.
—Alessandra Schade, Time, 14 Feb. 2026
Rumors of a second site being considered by DHS were confirmed when the leaders of Oakwood told outlets a property in their town was being eyed for a 1,500-bed detention center that would act as a processing facility for detainees before they are taken to Social Circle.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
The controversial project The prospect of an ICE detention center in a Kansas City warehouse has drawn criticism and ire for weeks.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detention center
Cite this Entry
“Detention center.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detention%20center. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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