arrest
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.”
How to Use Arrest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo take someone into police custody, or more generally, to stop something in its tracks.
Word Forms
arrested past tense, arrests plural, arrests singular
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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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.