detention
UK: dɪˈtenʃn | US: dɪˈtenʃn
n. the act of detaining or holding back; confinement
n. a form of punishment in schools where students are required to stay after hours
n. the state of being officially held in custody (e.g., by authorities)
detention = de<down/away> + tent<hold> + ion<noun suffix>
- de-: Prefix meaning "down" or "away," from Latin de-.
- tent: Root from Latin tenēre ("to hold"), preserved in detention.
- -ion: Noun-forming suffix indicating an action or state.
Etymology Origin:
The word detention traces back to Latin detentio ("a holding back"), derived from detinēre ("to detain"). The prefix de- emphasizes restriction, while tenēre ("to hold") forms the core concept. Over time, it evolved into Middle French détention before entering English, retaining its sense of confinement or forced delay.
The student received detention for repeatedly arriving late to class.
Protesters faced overnight detention by the police.
The suspect is currently in detention awaiting trial.
Detention without trial violates human rights laws.
She used her time in detention to finish her homework.