arrest
uh-REHST
Arrest (verb) means to take someone into custody under legal authority, typically on suspicion of a crime. Example: “Police arrested the suspect outside his apartment.”
verb
1
To take someone into custody under legal authority, typically on suspicion of a crime.
"Police arrested the suspect outside his apartment."
"She was arrested for shoplifting."
"Officers arrested two men outside the shop late last night."
2
To stop or slow down a process or movement.
"Doctors managed to arrest the spread of the infection."
"The new drainage system should arrest the flooding in the village."
"Gardeners spray the leaves to arrest the growth of the mould."
noun
1
The act of taking someone into legal custody.
"The arrest was caught on the officer's body camera."
"The arrest took place quietly, and nobody in the street noticed."
"News of his arrest spread quickly through the small town."
How to use arrest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo take someone into police custody, or more generally, to stop something in its tracks.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
under arrest
make an arrest
arrest the suspect
arrest development
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Word forms
- Plural
- arrests
- Third person singular
- arrests
- Past tense
- arrested
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Police _____ the suspect outside his apartment.
Etymology
From Old French arester ("to stay, stop"), from Latin ad- ("to") plus restare ("to remain, stay behind").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “arrest” mean?
The word “arrest” means to take someone into custody under legal authority, typically on suspicion of a crime. In plain terms, to take someone into police custody, or more generally, to stop something in its tracks.
How do you pronounce “arrest”?
“Arrest” is pronounced uh-REHST (/əˈɹɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “arrest” in a sentence?
Here is “arrest” used in a sentence: “Police arrested the suspect outside his apartment.”
What is another word for “arrest”?
Words with a similar meaning to “arrest” include halt, discontinue, seize, dazzle, engage and entice.
What part of speech is “arrest”?
Depending on how it is used, “arrest” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “arrest” come from?
The word “arrest” comes from Latin. From Old French arester ("to stay, stop"), from Latin ad- ("to") plus restare ("to remain, stay behind").
Is “arrest” a common word?
“Arrest” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “arrest” have?
“Arrest” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to take someone into custody under legal authority, typically on suspicion of a crime.
What is the difference between arrest and detain?
To arrest is to take someone into custody under legal authority, usually on suspicion of a crime, starting a formal legal process. To detain is simply to hold or delay someone, which can be briefer and less formal. Police may detain a person for questioning without arresting them.
What is the difference between being arrested and being charged?
Being arrested means the police have taken you into custody, usually on suspicion of an offence. Being charged is the later step where you are formally accused of a specific crime and enter the court process. You can be arrested and then released without ever being charged.
Does being arrested mean you are guilty?
No. An arrest is based on suspicion, not proof, and guilt is decided only by a court. Many arrested people are released without charge or later found not guilty. In most legal systems a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Does 'arrest' always relate to the police?
No. Besides the legal sense, arrest means to stop or halt something. Cardiac arrest is the stopping of the heart, and doctors speak of arresting the spread of a disease. The common thread is bringing something to a sudden stop, whether a person or a process.
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