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
With ongoing geopolitical tensions and the conflict in Ukraine fueling these detentions, the future for those arrested on Russian soil appears increasingly uncertain.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Illinois Election Results 2024:Live updates, maps for every state race
Man who punched poll worker jailed with no bond
Schmidt was held overnight and transported to a local courthouse for a detention hearing.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Schmidt was held overnight and transported to Bridgeview Courthouse for a detention hearing and the investigation is currently ongoing.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Notoriously complex and opaque global supply chains have made the fashion industry especially vulnerable to shipment detentions from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
—Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detention 
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Illinois Election Results 2024:Live updates, maps for every state race
Man who punched poll worker jailed with no bond
Schmidt was held overnight and transported to a local courthouse for a detention hearing.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Schmidt was held overnight and transported to Bridgeview Courthouse for a detention hearing and the investigation is currently ongoing.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Notoriously complex and opaque global supply chains have made the fashion industry especially vulnerable to shipment detentions from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
—Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 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 Nov. 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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