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
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
In Milwaukee County, law enforcement officers are the only people who can initiate an emergency mental health detention and send someone to be evaluated for a possible involuntary hospital stay.
—
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The detention of the founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily has become the most high-profile example of China's crackdown on rights in Hong Kong.
—Xinghui Kok, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
The measure called for ending voluntary transfers from the county into federal custody, or notifications of anyone’s release from detention, requiring the federal agency to get a judicial warrant.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
His discharge has been delayed due to his father’s detention.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
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David Clarey, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The detention of the founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily has become the most high-profile example of China's crackdown on rights in Hong Kong.
—Xinghui Kok, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
The measure called for ending voluntary transfers from the county into federal custody, or notifications of anyone’s release from detention, requiring the federal agency to get a judicial warrant.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
His discharge has been delayed due to his father’s detention.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
Cite this Entry
“Detention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detention. Accessed 30 Oct. 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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