detention

noun

de·​ten·​tion di-ˈten-chən How to pronounce detention (audio)
Synonyms of detentionnext
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

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Investigators were able to trace the gun to a legal purchase in Keene, New Hampshire, made by one of the straw purchasers of the scheme, according to the detention memo. — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026 This was accomplished in part by lowering operating costs — meaning the business of detaining people is becoming cheaper — and because of more people being put in detention. — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 8 Aug. 2026 But as China’s 2018 detention of two Canadian citizens after Canada arrested a Huawei executive showed, the party readily interferes in the legal system when important interests are at stake. — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 Changes in Temporary Protected Status are leading to fears of detention and deportation by many immigrants in Miami, particularly members of the Haitian community whose work authorizations and legal status in the United States have now expired. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detention

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of detention was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing detention

Rhymes for detention

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Browse Nearby Words

détente
detention
detention center
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Cite this Entry

“Detention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detention. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

detention

noun
de·​ten·​tion di-ˈten-chən How to pronounce detention (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on detention

Nglish: Translation of detention for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about detention

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