detention

detention — noun

1. the situation in which a person is kept in a police station or prison by legal a

1.nounB2
Definition

the situation in which a person is kept in a police station or prison by legal authority, usually while waiting for a trial or other legal decision

Example

The refugee was held in detention for three weeks before her case was reviewed.

passive: be held in detention

Police can keep a suspect in detention for up to 48 hours without charging them.

modal: keep [sb] in detention

Common collocations
  • held in detention
  • place in detention
  • detention centre
  • detention order
  • pretrial detention
  • without charge
Synonyms
  • confinement

    broader term; can include hospital isolation or house arrest, not just police custody

  • custody

    more specific to police holding someone for questioning or while awaiting a decision

  • imprisonment

    longer-term and usually follows a conviction; more severe in register

Antonyms
  • release

    the opposite action or state of being set free from detention

Grammar Patterns

in + detention

detention of + [person]

Usage Note

Frequently uncountable when referring to the general state ('held in detention'), but countable when referring to a specific period or instance ('three detentions in one year').

Common Mistakes

The criminal was sent to detention for five years.
The criminal was sent to prison for five years.
Detention usually refers to short-term holding before trial or for minor offences, not a long prison sentence.
The soldier was in detention during the war.
The soldier was in captivity during the war.
Detention implies legal or police authority, not military capture.

2. a school punishment that requires a student to remain in the school building aft

2.nounB1
Definition

a school punishment that requires a student to remain in the school building after the regular school day has finished

Example

Vivek got detention for arriving late to class three times this week.

collocation: get detention for [reason]

The headteacher decided to abolish Saturday detention after complaints from parents.

Common collocations
  • get detention
  • give detention
  • serve detention
  • after-school detention
  • Saturday detention
  • detention room
  • do detention
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

get + detention

give + [sb] + detention

Usage Note

Commonly used with verbs like get, give, have, serve, and do. In British and American schools the term is widely understood, though American English sometimes uses 'after-school detention' for clarity.

Common Mistakes

I got detention for helping the teacher.
I got detention for talking during the test.
Detention is a punishment, not a reward; the reason must be a rule violation.
The student was sent to detention for a month.
The student was suspended for a month.
Detention typically lasts one afternoon or a few hours, not weeks.

Word family

  • detain
    verbB2
  • detained
    adjectiveB2
  • detainee
    nounC1
  • detainer
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe the state of being kept in a place against one's will, but they differ in register and scope. 'Confinement' is the broadest term — it can refer to being kept in a hospital, a room, or even at home, and does not necessarily imply legal authority. 'Custody' specifically means being held by police or legal authorities, often for questioning or while awaiting a decision; it emphasises the legal right to hold someone. 'Detention' overlaps closely with custody but tends to be used for shorter periods and in more administrative or procedural contexts (e.g. pretrial detention). 'Imprisonment' and 'incarceration' both refer to long-term confinement after conviction — 'imprisonment' is the everyday word, while 'incarceration' is more formal and statistical. For example, a person is 'in custody' while being questioned at the station, 'in detention' while awaiting trial, and 'in prison' or 'incarcerated' after being found guilty.

confinementcustody ↗imprisonment ↗incarceration

Common collocations

Nouns

  • detention centre
  • detention facility
  • detention camp
  • detention order
  • detention hearing

Adverbs

Phrases

  • place someone in detention
  • be held in detention
  • be released from detention

Prepositions

  • in detention
  • during detention
  • under detention

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Detention entered English in the 15th century from Old French 'détention', which came from Latin 'detentio' (a holding back). The Latin root is 'detinere' — made up of 'de-' (down, away) and 'tenere' (to hold). So the original idea was simply 'to hold back or keep away'. The two modern meanings — police custody and school punishment — both preserve this core sense of keeping someone somewhere they cannot leave.