verb
-
to delay; hold back; stop
-
to confine or hold in custody; restrain
-
archaic to retain or withhold
Other Word Forms
- detainable adjective
- detainee noun
- detainment noun
- predetain verb (used with object)
- undetainable adjective
- undetained adjective
Etymology
Origin of detain
First recorded in 1480–90; detainen, from Anglo-French, Old French detenir, from unattested Vulgar Latin dētenīre, for Latin dētinēre, equivalent to dē- de- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre “to hold”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women have commonly been detained in ICE facilities.
From Salon
He fears his colleagues could be detained by agents.
From Los Angeles Times
Jalalabad residents told AFP that they saw a person who parachuted from the plane before being detained.
From Barron's
Locals have been detained and released as leads have dried up.
From Los Angeles Times
NGOs have complained about their staff being detained, assets confiscated, work permits delayed, and their work dictated by the Houthis' agenda.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
