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
Gledhill allegedly told the informant he was buried somewhere north of their Cottonwood Heights home, per the detention hearing.
—
Toria Sheffield, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
In our constitutional system, the president does not have the legal authority to render individuals to detention outside the United States, particularly to the notorious island prison of Guantánamo, a site of lawlessness and brutality.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
At a detention hearing in Shry's case last year, a defense attorney suggested the court order her to undergo mental health and substance abuse treatment.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2025
Fort Bliss in Texas and Fort Huachuca in Arizona have been identified as likely sites for such detention camps.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
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Toria Sheffield, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
In our constitutional system, the president does not have the legal authority to render individuals to detention outside the United States, particularly to the notorious island prison of Guantánamo, a site of lawlessness and brutality.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
At a detention hearing in Shry's case last year, a defense attorney suggested the court order her to undergo mental health and substance abuse treatment.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2025
Fort Bliss in Texas and Fort Huachuca in Arizona have been identified as likely sites for such detention camps.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 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 12 Mar. 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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