detention
noun
de·ten·tion
di-ˈten-chən 
1
: the act or fact of detaining or holding back
especially
: a holding in custody
the detention of suspects
2
: the state of being detained
Some protesters were held in detention.
especially
: a period of temporary custody prior to disposition by a court
3
: a punishment in which a student is required to stay at school for a period of time beyond normal class hours
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
Liam’s detention became another flashpoint in the criticism over heavy-handed immigration enforcement tactics used by the feds and fueled mounting outrage from community members and officials alike.
—
Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Rodríguez made her announcement before some of the officials whom former prisoners and human rights watchdogs have accused of ordering the abuses committed at Helicoide and other detention facilities.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The detention came after agents refused an offer to take the child by an adult known to the family.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
In the end, Terry’s sons pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and arson and spent nearly a decade in juvenile detention.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detention
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Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Rodríguez made her announcement before some of the officials whom former prisoners and human rights watchdogs have accused of ordering the abuses committed at Helicoide and other detention facilities.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The detention came after agents refused an offer to take the child by an adult known to the family.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
In the end, Terry’s sons pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and arson and spent nearly a decade in juvenile detention.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detention
Cite this Entry
“Detention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detention. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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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