Search
Select the dictionary language
to detain
01
to officially hold someone in a place, such as a jail, and not let them go
Transitive: to detain sb
Examples
The immigration officers have the authority to detain individuals entering the country illegally.
The police decided to detain the suspect for further questioning.
02
to hold someone or something back, preventing further action or movement
Transitive: to detain sb
Examples
The storm detained us at the airport for several hours.
He was detained by a last-minute meeting and missed the train.
Lexical Tree
detainment
detain
