Standard Lemma guide

detainment

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /dɪˈteɪn.mənt/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -eɪnmənt

1

noun

Meaning 1

The condition of being detained; detention.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a state of being confined (usually for a short time)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • his detention was politically motivated
  • the prisoner is on hold
  • he is in the custody of police

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: detention, hold, custody

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: confinement

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English detain Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥tom Proto-Italic *-mentom Latin -mentum Old French -mentbor. Middle English -ment English -ment English detainment From detain + -ment.