Definitions for detain

Overview of verb detain

The verb detain has 3 senses? (first 1 from tagged texts)

1. (1) confine, detain

(deprive of freedom; take into confinement)

2. stay, detain, delay

(stop or halt; "Please stay the bloodshed!")

3. delay, detain, hold up

(cause to be slowed down or delayed; "Traffic was delayed by the bad weather"; "she delayed the work that she didn't want to perform")