WordGarden.iodetention
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /dɪtˈɛnʃən/
US
- /dɪˈtɛnʃən/
Meanings
Noun
official custody or confinement
a school punishment requiring a student to stay after hours
Beyond the definition
Detention isn't exactly fun. It's the punishment many students dread—being held back at school after classes are over, usually to make up for misbehavior. Think of it as a time-out, but instead of your living room, it's classroom C-12 with a teacher keeping an eye on you. But "detention" has other meanings too: it can refer to the act of holding someone, such as when police detain a suspect for questioning. It can also describe a delay, like when a shipment is held at customs for inspection. So, whether it's a punishment for goofing off or a temporary hold on cargo, detention always involves being kept from moving on freely.
The word "detention" carries multiple meanings, all revolving around the idea of restriction or delay. Most commonly, we think of school detention—a disciplinary measure where students are required to stay after school hours as punishment for breaking rules. Imagine Sarah talking back to her teacher; she might receive detention and spend an hour silently completing assignments in a supervised classroom.
However, "detention" extends far beyond the schoolyard. It also refers to the official act of detaining someone—holding them temporarily, often by authorities. A police officer might detain a person for questioning if they suspect wrongdoing, or a person may be held in "immigration detention" while their legal status is verified. This is a much more formal and serious application of the word.
Furthermore, "detention" can describe a delay or obstruction in progress within shipping and logistics. For example, a package stuck at a border might be described as being "in detention," meaning its delivery is temporarily held up for inspection. In shipping, it can also refer to the extra time a container or vehicle is kept beyond the allowed period. In maritime law, it can even refer to the period a ship is held in port beyond the allowed time.
So, whether it's a student serving time for misbehavior, a suspect held by authorities, or a crate delayed in transit, "detention" always implies a restriction of movement or progress—a forced pause before being allowed to continue on one's way.
Examples
- 1
School punishment
She got detention for talking through the lesson.
- 2
Repeated punishment
After two more detentions, the school called his parents.
- 3
Lunch detention
We spent lunch in detention, copying out school rules.
- 4
Legal status
The court ruled that her detention by the police had been illegal.
- Phrasedetention by the police
being kept by the police and not allowed to leave
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Human rights
Human rights groups condemned the detention of children at the border.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- in detention
- detention center
- pretrial detention
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- detentionnoun
Forms
- detentionspluralnoun