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Definition of detainment

detainment

/dɪˈteɪnmənt/
de · tain · ment
Plural:detainments
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detainment Lexical Profile

detainment Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The act of holding someone back or keeping them in official custody, or the state of being held in custody.

Example

"The human rights organization expressed concern over the prolonged detainment of the journalists without formal charges."

2

The act of delaying or keeping someone or something from proceeding.

Example

"The unexpected detainment of the cargo ship at the port disrupted the entire supply chain."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for detainment
Antonyms
View all antonyms for detainment

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'detainment' and 'detention' share the same meaning, 'detention' is generally preferred in formal legal contexts and is exclusively used for the school punishment.

• Rhymes for detainment

• Nearby Words

detailing
detain
detainee
detainment
detangle
detangler
detasseling

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 16th century from the verb 'detain' (from Old French 'detenir' and Latin 'detinere', meaning 'to hold back') combined with the noun-forming suffix '-ment'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Detainment. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/detainment
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