How Do You Spell DETAIN?

Pronunciation: [dɪtˈe͡ɪn] (IPA)

The word "detain" is spelled phonetically as /dɪˈteɪn/. The first syllable "di" is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by "tayn", pronounced with a long "a" sound. The word "detain" means to keep someone in custody or confinement, often by law enforcement or immigration officials. It is important to spell this word correctly in legal and immigration documents to ensure clear communication and proper treatment of individuals who are being detained.

DETAIN Meaning and Definition

1. Detain is a transitive verb defined as the act of holding someone or something in custody or confinement against their will, usually in a specified location, for a particular period of time. It involves the temporary restriction of freedom or movement, typically by an authority or institution, often for legal or security purposes.

   When an individual is detained, they are typically prevented from leaving a particular area or detained facility until further actions are taken or conditions met. Detainment can be carried out by law enforcement officers, border control agents, immigration officials, or military personnel, among others.

   The purpose of detainment may vary depending on the context. It can be used as a means of preserving public safety, enforcing laws, conducting investigations, or preventing escape. Detainees may be held for questioning, identification verification, investigation of alleged crimes, or as part of a lawful arrest process.

   The duration of detainment can vary, ranging from a few minutes to several hours, days, or even months, depending on the specific circumstances and the legal framework in place. During this period, individuals who are detained may be deprived of certain rights and freedoms usually enjoyed in their day-to-day lives, such as the ability to move freely, make decisions autonomously, or have contact with the outside world.

   It is essential to note that detainment should align with established legal procedures and regulations, ensuring due process and safeguarding human rights.

2. To keep from; to withhold; to stop, stay, or delay; to hold in custody.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for DETAIN

• detailin
• metin
• setain
• deathin
• desaign
• detiny
• detais
• detaill
• detaile
• getin
• deitail
• denai
• denin
• lettin
• detaies
• decaing
• degin
• delainy
• atain
• ceatain
• detale
• detaling
• detaul
• detaines
• titain
• datail
• desdain
• deteine
• teain
• desin
• deetail
• itain
• demein
• debain
• devain
• derein
• destain
• dettain
• detaine
• detraiin
• detrein
• ketan
• aetin
• deaarn
• Dekani
• Demaine
• detaind
• deztrin
• dextrin
• digtain
• dietain
• ditain
• Hetmin
• Dathin
• devaun
• detainz
• DETaLINE
• dettan
• eetin
• ketai
• letrin
• dutaine
• Desavin
• Delait
• Ketann
• Dentait
• Dotain
• Detaing
• edestain
• Jehain
• dedawn
• decaidan
• Detaen
• Deitain
• Cetein
• dentaine
• dentain
• drestain
• Digetain
• deteyn

Etymology of DETAIN

The word detain originated from Latin, with its root being detinere, which is a combination of de- (meaning from or down) and tenere (meaning to hold). In Latin, detinere meant to hold back or to hinder. From Latin, the term passed into Old French as detenir, and later into Middle English as deteynen or deteyne. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation evolved into the modern form detain, which has retained a similar meaning of holding back or keeping in custody.

Similar spelling words for DETAIN

• dating,
• dead-on,
• Detained,
• detainee,
• dieting,
• deaden,
• detains,
• detail,
• deaton,
• dentin,
• doting,
• retain.

Conjugate verb Detain

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have detained

you would have detained

he/she/it would have detained

we would have detained

they would have detained

I would have detain

you would have detain

he/she/it would have detain

we would have detain

they would have detain

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been detaining

you would have been detaining

he/she/it would have been detaining

we would have been detaining

they would have been detaining

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would detain

you would detain

he/she/it would detain

we would detain

they would detain

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be detaining

you would be detaining

he/she/it would be detaining

we would be detaining

they would be detaining

FUTURE

I will detain

you will detain

he/she/it will detain

we will detain

they will detain

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be detaining

you will be detaining

he/she/it will be detaining

we will be detaining

they will be detaining

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have detained

you will have detained

he/she/it will have detained

we will have detained

they will have detained

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been detaining

you will have been detaining

he/she/it will have been detaining

we will have been detaining

they will have been detaining

IMPERATIVE

you detain

we let´s detain

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to detain

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was detaining

you were detaining

he/she/it was detaining

we were detaining

they were detaining

PAST PARTICIPLE

detained

PAST PERFECT

I had detained

you had detained

he/she/it had detained

we had detained

they had detained

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been detaining

you had been detaining

he/she/it had been detaining

we had been detaining

they had been detaining

PRESENT

I detain

you detain

he/she/it detains

we detain

they detain

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am detaining

you are detaining

he/she/it is detaining

we are detaining

they are detaining

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

detaining

PRESENT PERFECT

I have detained

you have detained

he/she/it has detained

we have detained

they have detained

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been detaining

you have been detaining

he/she/it has been detaining

we have been detaining

they have been detaining

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it detain

SIMPLE PAST

I detained

you detained

he/she/it detained

we detained

they detained