Detention: meaning, definitions and examples
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detention
[ dɪˈtɛnʃən ]
at school
The action of detaining someone or the state of being detained in official custody, especially as a political prisoner.
Synonyms
confinement, custody, incarceration
Examples of usage
- They were arrested and held in detention for questioning.
- She was released from detention after the investigation was completed.
legal
The action of detaining someone or the state of being detained in official custody, especially as a political prisoner.
Synonyms
confinement, custody, incarceration
Examples of usage
- The suspect was placed in detention pending trial.
- Detention without trial is a violation of human rights.
informal
A form of punishment used in schools, typically involving staying behind after school hours.
Synonyms
discipline, penalty, punishment
Examples of usage
- He received detention for talking in class.
- The teacher assigned extra detention for incomplete homework.
Translations
Translations of the word "detention" in other languages:
🇵🇹 detenção
🇮🇳 नजरबंदी
🇩🇪 Haft
🇮🇩 penahanan
🇺🇦 затримання
🇵🇱 zatrzymanie
🇯🇵 拘禁 (こうきん)
🇫🇷 détention
🇪🇸 detención
🇹🇷 gözaltı
🇰🇷 구금 (gugum)
🇸🇦 احتجاز
🇨🇿 zadržení
🇸🇰 zadržanie
🇨🇳 拘留 (jūliú)
🇸🇮 pripor
🇮🇸 fangelsi
🇰🇿 қамауда ұстау
🇬🇪 დაკავება
🇦🇿 həbs
🇲🇽 detención
Word origin
The word 'detention' originated from the Latin word 'detentio', which means 'a holding back, delay, or retention'. The concept of detention has evolved over time to encompass various contexts, such as legal detention, school punishment, and political detainment. The use of detention as a form of discipline in schools became more prevalent in the 20th century, aiming to deter misbehavior and promote order in educational settings.
See also: detain, detained, detainee, detainees, detainment.