1
as in imprisonment
the state of being held in lawful custody
he's been in detention since the arrest
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2
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
the detention at the airport security checkpoint was brief, but because he was running late, it caused him to miss his flight
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Recent Examples of detention
Both adults are in custody at the Hardin County Detention Center, while the juvenile is being held at a juvenile detention facility.
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Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 18 Dec. 2024
There are now 27 detainees at Guantanamo, 15 of whom are eligible for a transfer out of the detention facility.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2024
Advertisement After Japan’s 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, paving the way for the imprisonment of 120,000 people of Japanese descent — two-thirds of whom were American citizens — in desolate detention camps.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
Monday’s hearing before Magistrate Judge Caroline Gentry was scheduled as a detention hearing, where federal prosecutors were expected to outline the reasons why Tanzer, who lives in Sycamore Township, should be detained while the case is pending.
—Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detention 
Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 18 Dec. 2024
There are now 27 detainees at Guantanamo, 15 of whom are eligible for a transfer out of the detention facility.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2024
Advertisement After Japan’s 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, paving the way for the imprisonment of 120,000 people of Japanese descent — two-thirds of whom were American citizens — in desolate detention camps.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
Monday’s hearing before Magistrate Judge Caroline Gentry was scheduled as a detention hearing, where federal prosecutors were expected to outline the reasons why Tanzer, who lives in Sycamore Township, should be detained while the case is pending.
—Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detention
Noun
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That could lead to more errors and longer processing delays for borrowers applying for student loan forgiveness under PSLF and other programs.Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
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White and wet Christmas conditions have led to delays for holiday travelers returning home on Thursday as rain and mountain snow batter the Pacific Northwest and strong thunderstorms rumble in the South.Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
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They were released this month after 17 years of incarceration.Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
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Under his bill, those convicted of possessing a small amount of cannabis would be guilty of a summary offense and face a fine not exceeding $100, with no possibility of incarceration.A.J. Herrington, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The initial location will be equipped with drive-thru lanes, kiosks and back-of-house tech that will employ real-world data to reduce wait times and keep food stocked and fresh.Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
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Some longtime residents grew irritated by the strain on city services, such as wait times for public health services, a housing shortage and rising rents.Maria Ramirez Uribe and Amy Sherman, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Detention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detention. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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