detention

Universal Words noun 1 [U] the state of being kept in a place, especially a prison, and prevented from leaving: a sentence of 12 months' detention in a young offender institution * police powers of arrest and detention * allegations of torture and detention without trial * a detention camp 2 [U,C] the punishment of being kept at school for a time after other students have gone home: They can't give me (a) detention for this. seealsoDETAIN