Definition of DETAIN

detain

Verb

Verb Forms: detained, detaining, detains

  • To keep someone in official custody; to delay.
  • deprive of freedom; take into confinement
  • stop or halt
  • cause to be slowed down or delayed
  • To keep someone from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.
  • To put under custody.
  • To keep back or from; to withhold.
  • To seize goods for official purposes.

Examples

  • The opponent tried to DETAIN the game by taking excessive time on their turns.

Origin / Etymology

From Old French detenir. Cognate with Italian detenere, Portuguese deter, Romanian deține, and Spanish detener.

Synonyms

confine, delay, hold up, stay, keep

Antonyms

free, rush

Scrabble Score: 7

detain: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
detain: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
detain: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 8

detain: valid Words With Friends Word