keep, retain, detain, withhold, reserve mean to hold in one's possession or under one's control. keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control.

DETAIN definition: 1. to force someone officially to stay in a place: 2. to delay someone for a short length of time…. Learn more.

When people such as the police detain someone, they keep them in a place under their control. The act allows police to detain a suspect for up to 48 hours.

Definition of detain verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

DETAIN meaning: 1 : to officially prevent (someone) from leaving a place to hold or keep (someone) in a prison or some other place; 2 : to keep or prevent (someone) from leaving or arriving at the expected …

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 …

Dec 15, 2025 · detain (third-person singular simple present detains, present participle detaining, simple past and past participle detained) (transitive) To keep something from proceeding or coming to …

detain - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free.

DETAINMENT definition: the condition of being under restraint or in custody; imprisonment. See examples of detainment used in a sentence.

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