English word detention comes from Latin detineo, and later Latin detentio (Detention (keeping back).)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| detineo | Latin (lat) | I delay, hinder, lengthen; occupy, engage, stop. I hold or keep off or back, detain, check. |
| detentio | Latin (lat) | Detention (keeping back). |
| détention | Middle French (frm) | |
| detention | English (eng) | (countable) A temporary state of custody or confinement, especially of a prisoner awaiting trial, or of a student being punished.. (uncountable) The act of detaining or the state of being detained. |