Meaning
- Detention is a noun that refers to the state of being kept in official custody, especially as a punishment or while awaiting a decision.
- In schools, it means a form of punishment where a student is required to stay after school or during break times.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Noun
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Common structures:
- “in detention” (being kept in custody or as punishment)
- “serve detention” (fulfill the punishment in school)
- “place someone in detention” (officially keep someone)
Common Phrases
- Put in detention – place someone under custody or school punishment
- Serve detention – spend time as punishment
- Immigration detention – official holding for immigration-related issues
- Detention center – facility where people are kept under custody
Collocations
- Adjectives + detention: school detention, short detention, prolonged detention, unlawful detention
- Verbs + detention: face detention, serve detention, order detention, impose detention
Examples
- The student had to serve detention after being late several times.
- He was placed in police detention for questioning.
- The teacher gave her an hour’s detention for breaking the rules.
- Many protesters were held in detention overnight.
- She sat quietly in detention, regretting her behavior.
- Immigration authorities placed the man in detention.
- The court ruled that his detention was unlawful.
- The detention center houses dozens of detainees.
Synonyms or Related
- Confinement
- Custody
- Incarceration
- Imprisonment
- Punishment
- Disciplinary action