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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

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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

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   to force someone officially to stay in a place: A suspect is being detained by the police for further questioning. To detain someone is also to delay that person for a short period of time: We were detained in traffic and arrived at the theater a little late.

4. 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.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   detain. (dɪteɪn ) Word forms: detains , detaining , detained. 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.

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › detain

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   verb (used with object) to keep from proceeding; keep waiting; delay. Synonyms: check, stay, stop, hinder, slow, retard. to keep under restraint or in custody. Obsolete. to keep back or withhold, as from a person. detain. / ˌdiːteɪˈniː; dɪˈteɪn /.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitiondetain verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   detain. detain somebody to keep somebody in an official place, such as a police station, a prison or a hospital, and prevent them from leaving. One man has been detained for questioning. He has been detained without trial for nearly two years now.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishDETAIN | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary - Cambridge ...

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   DETAIN definition: to keep someone somewhere and not allow them to leave, especially in order to ask them about a…. Learn more.

9. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english-wordDETAIN - Find out everything about this English word | Collins

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english-word

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   All you need to know about "DETAIN" in one place: definitions, pronunciations, synonyms, grammar insights, collocations, examples, and translations.

10. www.thefreedictionary.com › detainDetain - definition of detain by The Free Dictionary

    www.thefreedictionary.com › detain

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    1. To keep from proceeding; delay or retard: Our friends were detained by heavy traffic. 2. To keep in custody or confinement: The police detained several suspects for questioning. 3. Archaic To retain or withhold (payment or property, for example).

11. www.oed.com › dictionary › detain_vdetain, v. meanings, etymology and more - Oxford English ...

    www.oed.com › dictionary › detain_v

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    What does the verb detain mean? There are 11 meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb detain, eight of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. detain has developed meanings and uses in subjects including.