detentions
|de-ten-tion|
🇺🇸
/dɪˈtɛnʃən/
🇬🇧
/dɪˈtɛnʃ(ə)n/
(detention)
holding back
Etymology
'detention' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'detentio' (from the verb 'detinere'), where 'de-' functioned as an intensive or separative prefix and 'tenere' meant 'to hold'.
'detentio' passed into Old French and Middle English (Middle English 'detencioun'), and eventually became the modern English word 'detention'.
Initially it meant 'a holding back' or 'the act of holding', and over time the meaning narrowed and specialized into legal custody and specific uses such as school punishment.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of keeping someone in official custody, especially by police or immigration authorities.
The police made several detentions during the protest.
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Noun 2
a school punishment requiring a student to stay at school after regular hours (after-school detention).
There were several detentions after the exam for cheating.
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Noun 3
the temporary withholding, seizure or delay of goods, vehicles, or people (e.g., customs detentions, immigration detentions).
Customs detentions of imported goods caused serious delays at the port.
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Last updated: 2025/12/25 22:41