detention
dih-TEN-shun
/dɪˈtenʃn/
The state of being kept in official custody, especially as a political prisoner or suspect, or as a school punishment.
Can range from keeping a student after school to holding suspects before trial or holding immigrants at borders.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'detinere' (to hold back or keep off), combining 'de-' (away) and 'tenere' (to hold). It entered Middle English through Old French 'detention' as a legal term for holding someone back from their liberty.
Word relationships
- custody: 'Custody' stresses control/guardianship; 'detention' stresses the act of holding back or delaying freedom.
- confinement: 'Confinement' emphasizes physical spatial restriction.
- release: Setting free from holding.
- discharge: Official release from care or confinement.
Commonly confused with
- incarceration: Detention is often temporary or pre-trial; incarceration follows criminal conviction.
Word family
- detain (verb): To hold back or keep in custody.
- detainee (noun): A person held in detention.
Collocations
- detention center
- preventive detention
- held in detention
- school detention
Example sentences
- "Human rights groups called for the immediate end of arbitrary detention without trial." International Law
- "He was assigned an hour of after-school detention for repeatedly arriving late." School Setting
Memory hook
DE-TEN-tion -> DE-Tain person by HOLDING (tenere) them back. HOLD BACK liberty.
When not to use
Do not confuse with post-conviction imprisonment in a state prison.
Fun facts
- The Latin root 'tenere' (to hold) also gave us words like 'tenant' (one who holds property), 'tenacious', and 'retention'.
Related words
Explore more words
arrest, suspect, incarceration, interrogate, suspension, apprehend
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