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detention

[/dɪˈtenʃən/]
nounfemininepl: detentions
detenção
1. The action or state of holding someone in custody, especially by law enforcement
The suspect was held in detention pending trial.
O suspeito foi mantido em detenção aguardando julgamento.
2. The punishment of being kept in school after hours as a consequence of misbehavior
The student received detention for talking in class.
O estudante recebeu detenção por falar na aula.
3. The act of delaying or holding back something
The detention of the shipment caused delays in delivery.
A detenção do carregamento causou atrasos na entrega.
NYC Slang
lockup
Synonyms
imprisonmentconfinementcustodyarrestcaptivity
Antonyms
releasefreedomliberation

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
detenção
Standard term used in both legal and school contexts
São Paulo
detenção
Commonly used in legal proceedings and education
Rio de Janeiro
detenção
Standard usage, occasionally shortened to 'deten' in informal speech
Portugal
detenção
Legal term; in schools, 'castigo' is more commonly used for punishment detention

Related Idioms & Phrases

in detention
held in detention
detention center
pre-trial detention
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