Definition

A situation where someone is kept in a place, often as a punishment or while waiting for something to happen.

Example

After misbehaving in class, the student was given detention and had to stay after school.

Conversation

Did you hear about Jake getting detention after school?

Yeah, I saw him looking really upset about it.

I wonder what he did to earn that detention.

Probably something silly, like talking back to the teacher.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Detention → It is formed from "de-" (meaning down or away) and "tenere" (meaning to hold). The word "detention" refers to the act of holding someone down or away from freedom, typically in a legal or disciplinary context.

Memory Tip

Think of being 'held away' ('de-' means down or away, and 'tenere' means to hold') — that's why detention means being held back.

Visually Confused Words