French word

détention

Pronunciation

IPA/detɑ̃sjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncustody

Example

Il est en détention depuis une semaine.

He has been in custody for a week.

Illustration for détention (custody)

More examples

La police l'a mis en détention hier soir.

The police placed him in detention last night.

Core concept

A state-imposed loss of freedom in which a person remains under official custody.

Common phrases

  • être en détention

    be in detention

  • mettre en détention

    place in detention

Similar words

prison: A building or facility where convicted criminals are held.
arrestation: The act of taking someone into custody on suspicion of a crime.
garde à vue: Short-term police custody for questioning at a police station.
emprisonnement: Being sent to prison as a court-imposed punishment.

Definition in French

Privation de liberté infligée à une personne par les autorités, souvent dans un cadre judiciaire ou policier.

Word origin

French détention is related to détenir and ultimately derives from Latin detinere, meaning 'to hold back' or 'keep'.

Usage tips

  • Détention can cover custody before or during legal proceedings, so it is broader than prison time after a conviction.

Other meanings

  • detentionnoun
  • possessionnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word