/ dɪˈtenʃn; NAmE / 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.
—see also detain
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense withholding of what is claimed or due ): from late Latin detentio(n-) , from Latin detinere hold back, from de- away, aside + tenere to hold.