detain

verb

de·​tain di-ˈtān How to pronounce detain (audio)
dē-
detained; detaining; detains
Synonyms of detainnext

transitive verb

1
: to hold or keep in or as if in custody
detained by the police for questioning
2
obsolete : to keep back (something due) : withhold
3
: to restrain especially from proceeding
was detained by a flat tire
detainment
di-ˈtān-mənt How to pronounce detain (audio)
dē-
noun
Choose the Right Synonym for detain

keep, retain, detain, withhold, reserve mean to hold in one's possession or under one's control.

keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control.

keep this while I'm gone

retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss.

managed to retain their dignity even in poverty

detain suggests a delay in letting go.

detained them for questioning

withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go.

withheld information from the authorities

reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use.

reserve some of your energy for the last mile

delay, retard, slow, slacken, detain mean to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress.

delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

treatment that retards tumor growth

slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention

she closed her eyes and slowed her breathing

, slacken an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

Examples of detain in a Sentence

They were detained by the police for questioning. He claimed he had been illegally detained. Unexpected business had detained her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The bullet that killed her came from the apartment unit next door where officers found and detained Mata. —Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 18 Nov. 2024 Any increase in efforts to detain and deport people will also likely require more places to detain them. —Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov. 2024 Plus, in about seven Wisconsin counties, including Waukesha, ICE agreements give local enforcement the authority to detain people or even act as immigration officers. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2024 Questions remain about how people in a mass raid would be identified and where they would be detained. —Elliot Spagat, The Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for detain 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deteynen, from Anglo-French deteign-, stem of detenir, modification of Latin detinēre, from de- + tenēre to hold — more at thin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of detain was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near detain

detail work

detain

detainee

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Detain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detain. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

detain

verb
de·​tain di-ˈtān How to pronounce detain (audio)
1
: to hold or keep in or as if in prison
2
: to prevent from proceeding : stop
was detained by a flat tire
detainment
-mənt How to pronounce detain (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

detain

transitive verb
de·​tain
1
: to hold or keep in custody or possession
property wrongfully detained
a juvenile detained in a care facility
2
: to restrain from proceeding
detained the driver and asked to see his license
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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