detain

UK: /dɪˈteɪn/ US: /dɪˈteɪn/ ,(di tān′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•tain /dɪˈteɪn/   v. [~ + object]

1. to keep from proceeding;
   delay:
   I was detained at a meeting and missed the bus.
2. to keep under restraint:
   The police detained them for several hours.

de•tain•ment, n. [uncountable] See -tain-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•tain  (di tān′), v.t. 

1. to keep from proceeding;
   keep waiting;
   delay.
2. to keep under restraint or in custody.
3. [Obs.] to keep back or withhold, as from a person.

• Vulgar Latin *dētenīre, for Latin dētinēre, equivalent. to dē- de- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre to hold
• Anglo-French, Old French detenir
• detainen 1480–90

de•tain′a•ble, adj. 
de•tain′ment, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. retard, stop, slow, stay, check.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

detain / dɪˈteɪn/ verb (transitive)

1. to delay; hold back; stop
2. to confine or hold in custody; restrain

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French detenir, from Latin dētinēre to hold off, keep back, from de- + tenēre to hold

deˈtainable adjective

detainee / ˌdiːteɪˈniː/ noun

deˈtainment noun