arrests; arrested; arresting
1
: to use the power of the law to take and keep (someone, such as a criminal)
The police arrested him on drug charges.
The police officer said, "I'm arresting you in the name of the law."
—often used as (be) arrestedHe was arrested for assault.
She threatened to have him arrested.
He got arrested.
Note: A person who is arrested by the police is taken to a police station or jail and kept there.
2
formal
: to stop the progress or movement of (something)
The medics were unable to arrest [=stop] the bleeding.
The drugs can't arrest the disease's progress, but they can slow it down considerably.
arrested development
3
formal
: to attract and hold the attention of (someone or something)
colors that arrest [=catch] the eye
My attention was arrested [=caught] by a sudden movement.
plural arrests
1
: the act of legally taking and keeping someone (such as a criminal) : the act of arresting someone
The police are investigating the case but they have not yet made any arrests.
She was charged with resisting arrest.
He has accused the police of wrongful arrest. [=of arresting someone who should not have been arrested]
The information has led to the arrest of three suspects.
The police placed/put her under arrest. [=the police arrested her]
2
medical
: an occurrence in which a part of the body suddenly stops working
The patient went into cardiac arrest. [=the patient's heart stopped beating]
The hospital reported an increase in respiratory arrests. [=instances in which patients stopped breathing]
Cite this Entry
“Arrest.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/arrest. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
