adjective
Common
detained
dih-TAYND
Detained (adjective) means Held in custody, or delayed from proceeding. Example: “Several detained travellers waited anxiously in the airport office.”
adjective
1
Held in custody, or delayed from proceeding.
"Several detained travellers waited anxiously in the airport office."
"Sorry I'm late, I was detained at work by a last-minute meeting."
"He remained detained pending trial."
"The detained train finally arrived hours late."
"He was detained at the border for several hours."
How to use detained
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHeld back, either in custody or simply delayed.
Common pairings
detained at
detained without charge
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Synonyms
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Rhymes for detained
See all rhymes for detained →Frequently asked questions
What does “detained” mean?
The word “detained” means held in custody, or delayed from proceeding. In plain terms, held back, either in custody or simply delayed.
How do you pronounce “detained”?
“Detained” is pronounced dih-TAYND (/dɪˈteɪnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “detained” in a sentence?
Here is “detained” used in a sentence: “He was detained at the border for several hours.”
What part of speech is “detained”?
“Detained” is an adjective.
Is “detained” a common word?
“Detained” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between detained and arrested?
Detained means held in custody or delayed, which can happen briefly for questioning without formal charges, while arrested specifically means taken into custody under legal authority, usually as the first step toward criminal charges. Someone can be detained without being arrested.
What is the difference between detained and delayed?
Detained can mean either held in custody or simply delayed from proceeding, such as being detained by traffic. Delayed refers only to being made late, without any implication of custody or restriction.
How is detained used in everyday, non-legal contexts?
Outside legal settings, detained is often used to mean held up or made late, as in "I was detained at work." This everyday use carries no suggestion of custody, only delay.
