Word
detained
Phoneticsde·tained, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈteɪnd/
UK/dɪtˈeɪnd/
Definitions
01held by authorities
B2 · Upper Intermediate Law Formal
v. to be kept in a police station, hospital, or airport by people in power.
v. to be held in official custody or confinement, typically for questioning or legal reasons. Often used in the passive voice.
“The man was detained at the airport for three hours while they checked his visa.”
“Several protesters were detained by the police following the demonstration, though most were released without charge the following morning.”
Usage
Commonly used in the passive voice: 'to be detained'.
02delayed
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to be stopped from leaving or arriving on time because of something unexpected.
v. to be delayed or kept from proceeding with a planned journey or task. Usually implies an unavoidable or official delay.
“I am sorry I am late; I was detained by an urgent phone call at the office.”
“The CEO was unexpectedly detained in a board meeting, forcing the department heads to begin the presentation without her.”
Usage
Often used as a polite excuse in formal correspondence.
Real-World Examples
“A Guatemalan immigrant detained by ICE at a Newark, New Jersey has died , the third person to die after being held at Delaney Hall.” “Aung San Suu Kyi, now 81, has been detained on a range charges since the military took power.” “In Qalqilya, soldiers detained seven relatives of a Palestinian fighter killed in a 2024 strike.” “And it’s definitely not the America that we are organizing for.”
A detained woman sits inside a vehicle surrounded by federal agents in January, two weeks after the shooting of Renee Nicole Good.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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