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1. Dictionary

   detain

   /dɪˈteɪn/

   verb

   • 1. keep (someone) from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention: "she made to open the door, but he detained her" Similar delayhold upmake lateretardkeep (back)slow upslow downset backget bogged downhinderhamperimpedeobstruct
   • ▪ keep (someone) in official custody, typically for questioning about a crime or in a politically sensitive situation: "she was detained without trial for two years"
   • ▪ officially seize and hold (goods): "customs officers may detain goods for up to two days" Similar holdtake into custodyput into custodyplace in custodyremand in custodyhold in custodykeep in custodytake (in)seizeconfineimprisonlock upput in jailput behind barsincarcerateimpoundinternrestrainarrestapprehendinformal:pick uprun inpull inhaul incopbustnabnaildocollarfeel someone's collarnickpinchOpposite release

   Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘be afflicted with sickness or infirmity’): from Old French detenir, from a variant of Latin detinere, from de- ‘away, aside’ + tenere ‘to hold’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. detainment noun

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • T

     1

   • A

     1

   • I

     1

   • N

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishDETAIN | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   DETAIN definition: 1. to force someone officially to stay in a place: 2. to delay someone for a short length of time…. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › detainDetain Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › detain

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   The meaning of DETAIN is to hold or keep in or as if in custody. How to use detain in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Detain.

4. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishDETAIN definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   1. verb. When people such as the police detain someone, they keep them in a place under their control. [formal] The act allows police to detain a suspect for up to 48 hours. [VERB noun] He was arrested and detained for questioning. [VERB noun] Synonyms: hold, arrest, confine, restrain More Synonyms of detain. 2. verb.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › detainDETAIN Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › detain

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   Detain definition: to keep from proceeding; keep waiting; delay. . See examples of DETAIN used in a sentence.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryDETAIN | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   DETAIN meaning: 1. to force someone officially to stay in a place: 2. to delay someone for a short length of time…. Learn more.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishdetain verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   detain somebody (formal) to delay somebody or prevent them from going somewhere. I'm sorry—he'll be late; he's been detained at a meeting. The minister was unavoidably detained in Lisbon on affairs of state. see also detention. Word Origin.

8. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › detainDetain - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › detain

   When you detain someone, you hold them back, slow them down, or stop them from moving on. If you are detained by the police, you may be late for the big football game, even if you were speeding to get there by the kickoff.