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

• detainer
• detainment
• hold
• immurement
• 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

Soliman's family will stay in ICE detention for at least two more weeks and may be granted another temporary restraining order at the end of this two-week period. —Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

By then the family had been transferred to a detention facility in Texas, where the case will be heard. —Susan Miller, USA Today, 19 June 2025

Brindley asked that his client to be sent to home detention for an unspecified amount of time until the threat is gone. —Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025

Prior to going viral, Meeks spent over 10 years in juvenile detention and prison for various crimes. —Nicole Briese, People.com, 18 June 2025

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