n.
Pronunciation: di- ' ten-ch ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English detencion, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin detention-, detentio, from detin ē re to detain
Date: 15th century
1 : the act or fact of detaining or holding back especially : a holding in custody
2 : the state of being detained especially : a period of temporary custody prior to disposition by a court