Cool MateMeaning of Detain
to keep somebody in an official place, such as a police station, a prison or a hospital, and prevent them from leaving
In simple words: To keep someone in a place, usually by the police, so they cannot leave.
Detain in a sentence
- The police decided to detain the suspect for further questioning.
- Authorities may detain travelers who do not have the proper documentation.
- Security officers can detain individuals who pose a threat to public safety.
- She was detained at the airport because of an expired visa.
- The officers detained the protester to maintain order during the demonstration.
How to use Detain
Used in legal and police contexts. Be careful using it informally; it's not common in everyday conversations about delays or waiting.
Grammar pattern
detain + object
Memory hint
Sounds like 'the-tain' — imagine the police 'taining' (holding) someone back.
Related words
Collocations with Detain
Common mistakes with Detain
- Confused with 'retain' which means to keep possession of something.
- Using 'detain' when referring to someone simply waiting, instead of being held by authority.
- Incorrectly using 'detain' without specifying who is being detained.
Detain appears in
Detain in other languages
- Arabicالعربية
احتجاز
إبقاء شخص ما في مكان، عادةً من قبل الشرطة، بحيث لا يستطيع المغادرة.
- Bengaliবাংলা
আটক করা
কাউকে কোনো জায়গায় আটকে রাখা, সাধারণত পুলিশ দ্বারা, যাতে তারা চলে যেতে না পারে।
- GermanDeutsch
festhalten
Jemanden an einem Ort festhalten, meist von der Polizei, sodass er/sie nicht wegkann.
- SpanishEspañol
Detener
Retener a alguien en un lugar, normalmente por la policía, para que no pueda irse.
- Persianفارسی
بازداشت کردن
نگه داشتن کسی در یک مکان، معمولاً توسط پلیس، به طوری که نتواند آنجا را ترک کند.
- FrenchFrançais
Détention, retenir
Garder quelqu'un quelque part, souvent par la police, pour qu'il ne puisse pas partir.
- Hindiहिन्दी
रोकना, हिरासत में लेना
किसी को किसी जगह पर रखना, आमतौर पर पुलिस द्वारा, ताकि वे जा न सकें।
- ItalianItaliano
Trattenere
Tenere qualcuno in un posto, di solito dalla polizia, in modo che non possa andarsene.
- PortuguesePortuguês
Deter
To stop someone from doing something by making them scared of what might happen.
- RussianРусский
Задержать
Держать кого-то где-то, обычно полицией, так, чтобы он не мог уйти.
- Urduاردو
روکنا، حراست کرنا
کسی شخص کو کسی جگہ پر رکھنا، عام طور پر پولیس کی طرف سے، تاکہ وہ وہاں سے جا نہ سکے۔
- Chinese中文
拘留
把某人留在某个地方，通常是警察，让他们不能离开。
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Frequently asked questions about Detain
What does Detain mean?
To keep someone in a place, usually by the police, so they cannot leave.
What is the definition of Detain?
to keep somebody in an official place, such as a police station, a prison or a hospital, and prevent them from leaving
How do you use Detain in a sentence?
The police decided to detain the suspect for further questioning.
Can you give another example of Detain?
Authorities may detain travelers who do not have the proper documentation.
What are synonyms for Detain?
Common alternatives include hold, arrest, imprison, confine, seize.
What is the opposite of Detain?
Opposite meanings include release, free, liberate.
What words go with Detain?
It commonly pairs with briefly, indefinitely, illegally, need not, for, in connection with, be detained in custody, be detained in hospital, detain somebody without charge.
What are common mistakes when using Detain?
Confused with 'retain' which means to keep possession of something. Using 'detain' when referring to someone simply waiting, instead of being held by authority. Incorrectly using 'detain' without specifying who is being detained.
How do you pronounce Detain?
US: /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/, UK: /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.
Is Detain formal or informal?
"Detain" is formal, so it fits professional, business, or academic conversations.
When should I use Detain?
Used in legal and police contexts. Be careful using it informally; it's not common in everyday conversations about delays or waiting.
What CEFR level is Detain?
"Detain" is at C1 level on the CEFR scale.