detain
Detain (verb) means to officially hold someone, preventing them from leaving. Example: “Police detained the suspect for questioning.”
How to use detain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hold someone back, either officially in custody or simply by delaying them.
Word forms
detained past tense, detains singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Police _____ the suspect for questioning.
Etymology
From Old French detenir, from Latin detinere, "to hold back" — from de- and tenere ("to hold").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for detain
See all rhymes for detain →Frequently asked questions
What does “detain” mean?
The word “detain” means to officially hold someone, preventing them from leaving. In plain terms, to hold someone back, either officially in custody or simply by delaying them.
How do you pronounce “detain”?
“Detain” is pronounced dih-TAYN (/dɪˈteɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “detain” in a sentence?
Here is “detain” used in a sentence: “Police detained the suspect for questioning.”
What part of speech is “detain”?
“Detain” is a verb.
Where does the word “detain” come from?
The word “detain” comes from Latin. From Old French detenir, from Latin detinere, "to hold back" — from de- and tenere ("to hold").
Is “detain” a common word?
“Detain” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “detain” have?
“Detain” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to officially hold someone, preventing them from leaving.