noun
detention
dih-TEHNSHN
noun
1
The state of being held in official custody, especially while awaiting trial.
"He was held in detention for two months before the hearing."
2
A school punishment requiring a student to stay behind after hours.
"She got detention for talking back to the teacher."
How to Use Detention
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing held back, either in custody as an adult or as a school punishment.
Common pairings
in detention
detention centre
get detention
Word Forms
detentions plural
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He was held in _____ for two months before the hearing.
Etymology
From Latin detentio, from detinere, "to hold back".