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Dictionary Language resources

detention

Syllabification: (de·ten·tion)

Pronunciation: /diˈtenCHən/

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Definition of detention

noun

the action of detaining someone or the state of being detained in official custody, especially as a political prisoner:one of the effects of police detention is isolation from friends and family
the punishment of being kept in school after hours:he has made students fear after-school detention arbitrary after-school detentions

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'withholding of what is claimed or due'): from late Latin detentio(n-), from Latin detinere 'hold back'(see detain)