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 measure calls for the detention of a broad group of migrants, including individuals permitted to enter the U.S. to seek asylum, if they have been accused of theft, burglary or shoplifting.
—
Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
Machado's detention has further intensified global criticism of Maduro's regime.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
In the early years of the detention operation, some of the youngest prisoners were teenagers.
—Carol Rosenberg, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Each country’s foreign ministry summoned the other’s ambassador to demand the prisoner’s release and decent detention conditions.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for detention 
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Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
Machado's detention has further intensified global criticism of Maduro's regime.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
In the early years of the detention operation, some of the youngest prisoners were teenagers.
—Carol Rosenberg, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Each country’s foreign ministry summoned the other’s ambassador to demand the prisoner’s release and decent detention conditions.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
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 22 Jan. 2025.
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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