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 president-elect also wavered on the necessity of detention facilities.
—
Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Dec. 2024
But instead of being released to pursue their asylum claim, Marina said she and Aleksandra were held in a cold cell at a Border Patrol detention facility.
—Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica, 12 Dec. 2024
Tanzer is being held pending a detention hearing set for Monday in federal court in Dayton.
—Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2024
Assad’s notorious detention facilities were black holes where anyone deemed an opponent of the regime disappeared, with widespread reports of torture and inhumane conditions.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detention 
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Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Dec. 2024
But instead of being released to pursue their asylum claim, Marina said she and Aleksandra were held in a cold cell at a Border Patrol detention facility.
—Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica, 12 Dec. 2024
Tanzer is being held pending a detention hearing set for Monday in federal court in Dayton.
—Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2024
Assad’s notorious detention facilities were black holes where anyone deemed an opponent of the regime disappeared, with widespread reports of torture and inhumane conditions.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 9 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 23 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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