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Definitions

detain

[dih-teyn] / dɪˈteɪn /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Immigration agents, I noted, were acting as though they had carte blanche to detain people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally, conducting raids that sometimes swept up American citizens.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Passers-by gave chase and managed to detain the man, in his 30s, and hand him over to police.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

"The court should detain the defendant pending trial," the filing said.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

"But still the Party is now so sensitive toward history that it felt it had to detain and try him."

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

And this time, Nicholson wasn’t able to detain him, he started so quickly to make his way through the aisle.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger




Vocabulary lists containing detain


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