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
Synonyms
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 United Nations Children’s Fund, or UNICEF, said French officials routinely placed children on Mayotte in immigration detention with their families, despite condemnation of the practice by the European Court of Human Rights.
—
Julie Bourdin, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
Youth detention facilities across the U.S. under scrutiny The charges in Alabama are the latest in a wave of cases and lawsuits involving youth detention facilities across the country.
—Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
Many of the students posted photos on social media of them wearing the shirts together, and some were sitting in detention.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 21 Dec. 2024
The strike was part of an ongoing effort to prevent IS insurgents from taking advantage of the upheaval in Syria, including any plan to release the more than 8,000 IS prisoners held in detention by Kurds who have partnered with the U.S., Central Command said in a statement.
—Abby Sewell and Matthew Lee The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 21 Dec. 2024
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Julie Bourdin, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
Youth detention facilities across the U.S. under scrutiny The charges in Alabama are the latest in a wave of cases and lawsuits involving youth detention facilities across the country.
—Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
Many of the students posted photos on social media of them wearing the shirts together, and some were sitting in detention.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 21 Dec. 2024
The strike was part of an ongoing effort to prevent IS insurgents from taking advantage of the upheaval in Syria, including any plan to release the more than 8,000 IS prisoners held in detention by Kurds who have partnered with the U.S., Central Command said in a statement.
—Abby Sewell and Matthew Lee The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detention
Dictionary Entries Near detention
Cite this Entry
“Detention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detention. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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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