Definitions for detain

detain de·tain

Spelling: [dih-teyn]
IPA: /dɪˈteɪn/

Detain is a 6 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 7 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 8 points.

You can make 146 anagrams from letters in detain (adeint).

Definitions for detain

verb (used with object)

  1. to keep from proceeding; keep waiting; delay.
  2. to keep under restraint or in custody.
  3. Obsolete. to keep back or withhold, as from a person.

Origin of detain

1480-90; detainen Anglo-French, Old French detenir Vulgar Latin *dētenīre, for Latin dētinēre, equivalent to dē- de- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre to hold

Examples for detain

Senator Marco Rubio asks "Why shouldn't we have a place to take people that we detain--like Guantanamo?"

They will detain them and begin the process of removal—which is what federal law theoretically calls for in the first place.

Then she withdrew her arms, and this time he did not try to detain her.

They find a few ounces of meth in the car and detain him for twenty four hours.

What he had to say therefore on the subject would not detain them long.

Still, Israel is not the only country to detain refugee applicants.

Kadyrov had promised to detain Muslim women wearing veils that cover their faces.

"Don't let me detain you," said Halbert, with an elaborate share of politeness.

As everything was right, the ship did not detain us, and we were permitted to proceed.

Mrs. Menotti tried to detain him; she could not understand what was amiss.

Word Value for detain
Scrable

7

Words with friends

8

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