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View synonyms for

detention

[ dih-ten-shuhn ]

noun

  1. the act of detaining.
  2. the state of being detained.
  3. maintenance of a person in custody or confinement, especially while awaiting a court decision.
  4. the withholding of what belongs to or is claimed by another.


adjective

  1. of or relating to detention or used to detain:

    the detention room of a police station.

detention

/ ɪˈɛʃə /

noun

  1. the act of detaining or state of being detained
    1. custody or confinement, esp of a suspect awaiting trial
    2. ( as modifier )

      a detention order

  2. a form of punishment in which a pupil is detained after school
  3. the withholding of something belonging to or claimed by another
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ԴDzd·ٱtDz noun
  • d·ٱtDz noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of detention1

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin ŧٱԳپō- (stem of ŧٱԳپō ), equivalent to ŧٱԳ ( us ) detained (past participle of ŧپŧ; detain ) + -ō- -ion
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Word History and Origins

Origin of detention1

C16: from Latin ŧٱԳپō a keeping back; see detain
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

As a member of the European Parliament, Braun has immunity from detention.

From

He was arrested and sent to detention near the border, before being released three days later.

From

She also said the long wait had to do with the defendants' age and health issues which meant they spent little time in provisional detention.

From

Assad al-Nassasra was missing for three weeks until the International Committee of the Red Cross received information he was in Israeli detention.

From

The report also examined deaths in other forms of "state custody" such as mental health facilities, detention centres for migrants and asylum accommodation, and among people with learning disabilities and autism.

From

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éٱԳٱdetention camp