detain

CEFRC1

/dɪˈteɪn/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To keep someone in a place, especially officially or temporarily.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To keep back or from; to withhold.

Examples

  • Are you coming willingly, or do we have to detain you?

  • To my surprise, the young lady held up her gloved hand to detain me.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
2
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To keep someone from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.

  2. To keep something from proceeding or coming to completion; to delay.

  3. To put someone under custody.

More examples

In context

  • Don't let me detain you.

  • Detain not the wages of the hireling.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The police may blank suspects for further questioning without charges.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Old French detenir. Doublet of détente. Cognate with Italian detenere, Portuguese deter, Romanian deține, and Spanish detener.