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
- detainer
- detainment
- hold
- immurement
- imprisonment
- incarceration
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Speaking at a detention hearing for McKinnon on Monday, prosecutors described what the surveillance system captured inside the prison, providing the most detailed account yet of the circumstances around Bulger’s killing. 
Rich Schapiro, NBC News, 23 Aug. 2022 Viera made his initial court appearance Thursday and was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Aug. 22, according to the statement. Adam Sennott, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 Muhammad Syed is expected to appear for a detention hearing Wednesday afternoon. Cheri Mossburg, CNN, 15 Aug. 2022 He is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing Tuesday. Elaine Aradillas, Peoplemag, 9 Aug. 2022 Defense attorney Megha Desai of the Federal Public Defender’s Office asked for a detention hearing to be set over for later in the week. oregonlive, 8 Aug. 2022 The pair is in custody at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending a detention hearing on Friday. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 4 Aug. 2022 Each of the juveniles appeared at a detention hearing Wednesday morning with their parents in front of DuPage County Judge Anthony Coco. Megan Jones, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2022 He has been held in federal custody since Saturday; a detention hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. New York Times, 26 July 2022 See More
Rich Schapiro, NBC News, 23 Aug. 2022 Viera made his initial court appearance Thursday and was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Aug. 22, according to the statement. Adam Sennott, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 Muhammad Syed is expected to appear for a detention hearing Wednesday afternoon. Cheri Mossburg, CNN, 15 Aug. 2022 He is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing Tuesday. Elaine Aradillas, Peoplemag, 9 Aug. 2022 Defense attorney Megha Desai of the Federal Public Defender’s Office asked for a detention hearing to be set over for later in the week. oregonlive, 8 Aug. 2022 The pair is in custody at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending a detention hearing on Friday. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 4 Aug. 2022 Each of the juveniles appeared at a detention hearing Wednesday morning with their parents in front of DuPage County Judge Anthony Coco. Megan Jones, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2022 He has been held in federal custody since Saturday; a detention hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. New York Times, 26 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English detencion, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin detention-, detentio, from detinēre to detain
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing detention
Kids Definition
detention
noun
de·ten·tion di-ˈten-chən
1
: the act of holding back or delaying : the condition of being held or delayed
The prisoner was held in detention before trial.
2
: the punishment of being kept after school
Legal Definition
detention
noun
de·ten·tion
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 a trial or hearing see also preventive detention
detentions
noun
1
as in imprisonments
the state of being held in lawful custody he's been in detention since the arrest Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- imprisonments
- incarcerations
- captivities
- detainments
- detainers
- internments
- confinements
- arrests
- seizures
- apprehensions
- restraints
- holds
- immurements
- collars
- entrapments
- pinches
- arrestments
- captures
- busts
- enchainments
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- discharges
- releases
- freedoms
- emancipations
- liberations
2
as in delays
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- delays
- waits
- detainments
- holdups
- postponements
- pauses
- respites
- deferrals
- deferments
- setbacks
- hesitations
- holding patterns
- holdbacks
- lags
- slowdowns
- reprieves
- foot-draggings
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rushes
- dispatches
- hastes
- promptitudes