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

The National Police has been repeatedly cited by national and international human rights organizations for excessive use of force, arbitrary detentions, and the mistreatment of protesters and civilians. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026

In 2025 and 2026, reports of violent crackdowns including state killings, mass detentions, and intimidation have already emerged, signaling that repression remains the regime’s primary coercive tool. —Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026

Police on Sunday booked Siebenaller at the Fort Worth police detention facility. —Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Jan. 2026

For families in Miramar and Doral, the news of airstrikes on Fort Tiuna and the detention of the dictator brings a complex mix of relief and trepidation. —Elijah Manley, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 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