# detention

> English word · Noun · IPA /dɪˈtɛnʃn̩/ · frequency rank #7,555

## Definitions
1. The act of detaining or the state of being detained; hindrance.
2. A temporary state of custody or confinement.
3. A temporary state of custody or confinement.
4. The bare physical control without the mental element of intention required for possession.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French détention, from Latin detentio, detentionem. Equivalent to detain + -tion.

## Easily confused with
- **detonation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/detention-vs-detonation)
- **deletion** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deletion-vs-detention)
- **detection** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/detection-vs-detention)
- **deception** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deception-vs-detention)
- **defection** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defection-vs-detention)
- **desertion** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/desertion-vs-detention)

## Common misspellings (14)
`ddetention`, `deetntion`, `deteniton`, `detenntion`, `detension`, `detentino`, `detentionn`, `detentoin`, `detenttion`, `detetnion`, `detnetion`, `dettention`, `dteention`, `edtention`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/detention