French Conversation · Level 99
60 words
French word
détenir
Pronunciation
IPA/dɛtəniʁ/
Meaning
- verbhold
Example
Il détient un permis de conduire.
He holds a driver's license.
More examples
Elle détient des actions dans cette entreprise.
She owns shares in this company.
Core concept
Something held firmly under a person's control, sometimes kept from release or ordinary access.
Common phrases
détenir une information
possess information
détenir des actions
own shares
détenir la clé du problème
hold the key to the problem
Similar words
avoir: To possess something or experience a condition in ordinary circumstances.
tenir: To keep something firmly in the hand without moving it.
posséder: To own property or rights as a recognized legal holder.
arrêter: To use legal authority to take away someone's freedom of movement.
Definition in French
Avoir quelque chose en sa possession ou le contrôler; au sens juridique, garder une personne en détention ou conserver une preuve.
Word origin
French détenir comes from Latin detinere, meaning 'hold back', built from de- and tenere, 'hold'.
Usage tips
- Détenir is more formal than avoir and often appears with permits, evidence, assets, or people in legal and official contexts.