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
Duterte's detention comes at a significant time in Philippine politics, with voters heading to the polls in May for the country's midterm elections.
—
Adam Hancock, NPR, 11 Mar. 2025
Other immigration plans, including the detention of deportees at Guantanamo Bay and stopping the country's refugee resettlement program, have also been challenged in court.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Khalil's detention sparked outrage from civil rights groups, free speech advocates and pro-Palestinian supporters, though supporters of Israel have expressed support for his arrest.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Shortly after the arrest on Tuesday, Veronica Duterte, one of the former president's daughters, posted a video on Instagram showing her father questioning his detention.
—Adam Hancock, NPR, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
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Adam Hancock, NPR, 11 Mar. 2025
Other immigration plans, including the detention of deportees at Guantanamo Bay and stopping the country's refugee resettlement program, have also been challenged in court.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Khalil's detention sparked outrage from civil rights groups, free speech advocates and pro-Palestinian supporters, though supporters of Israel have expressed support for his arrest.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Shortly after the arrest on Tuesday, Veronica Duterte, one of the former president's daughters, posted a video on Instagram showing her father questioning his detention.
—Adam Hancock, NPR, 11 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 20 Apr. 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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