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detention

Transitive Verb[C/U] Both
pl: detentionspast: detainedpp: detaineding: detaining

This word carries a heavy sense of restriction and loss of autonomy. In a legal or geopolitical sense, it evokes an atmosphere of sterility, authority, and tension, often associated with borders, prisons, or military zones where the individual is powerless against the state. In an educational context, the word shifts toward a feeling of boredom and mild resentment. It represents a ritualized form of discipline common in school environments, where the punishment is not physical but consists of the forced waste of time in a silent room.

Countable when referring to a specific punishment session at school (I have three detentions this month). Uncountable when referring to the general state of being held by authorities (The conditions of detention were poor).

Meanings

Noun

The act of keeping someone in official custody, typically for questioning or legal reasons.

"The suspect was held in detention for forty-eight hours."

Noun

A punishment in a school where a student is required to stay after classes have ended.

"The teacher gave him a Saturday detention for talking in class."

Transitive Verb
[someone]

To hold someone back or delay them from leaving.

"The guards detained the travelers at the border."

Last Updated: May 27, 2026Report an Error