26984 words

detain

5 definitions • 6 examples
1
to force someone officially to stay in a place:

Examples:

A suspect has been detained by the police for questioning.
2
to delay someone for a short length of time:

Examples:

be unavoidably detained I'm sorry I'm late - I was unavoidably detained.
3
to keep someone in prison for as long as the courts feel is necessary:

Examples:

She was convicted of murder in 2008 and detained at Her Majesty's pleasure.
4
to force someone officially to stay in a place:

Examples:

A suspect is being detained by the police for further questioning.
5
To detain someone is also to delay that person for a short period of time:

Examples:

We were detained in traffic and arrived at the theater a little late.

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