detention
dih-TEN-shun
/dɪˈten.ʃən/
The state of being held back or kept in custody, especially remaining after school as punishment.
In pedagogical contexts, it refers to the mandatory holding of a student after normal school hours.
The story behind the word. Originates from Latin detentio, noun of action from detinere ('to hold back'), built from de- ('away') and tenere ('to hold'). It transitioned from legal custody to school settings in the 19th century.
Word relationships
- confinement: 'Confinement' suggests physical imprisonment, whereas school 'detention' is temporary post-class restraint.
- custody: 'Custody' is a formal law enforcement term, whereas 'detention' applies to both school rules and law.
- release: 'Release' means setting free from restraint.
- dismissal: 'Dismissal' is standard permission to leave.
Commonly confused with
- retention: 'Retention' means keeping or remembering something; 'detention' means holding someone back as punishment.
Word family
- detain (verb): To keep someone from proceeding or to hold in custody.
- detainee (noun): A person held in custody.
Collocations
- after-school detention
- serve detention
- assign detention
- detention hall
Example sentences
- "After repeatedly disrupting history class, Marcus was assigned an hour of after-school detention." School Discipline
- "The student hall supervisor monitors detention every Tuesday afternoon." Institutional Policy
Memory hook
They detain you until ten minutes after school. Held back after class.
When not to use
Do not use for informal delays like being stuck in traffic.
Fun facts
- The classic 1985 film 'The Breakfast Club' takes place entirely during a Saturday morning high school detention.
Related words
Explore more words
arrest, suspect, incarceration, interrogate, suspension, apprehend
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