1. to keep someone from leaving; to hold in custody
Usage: often used in legal or official contexts
2. to delay someone or prevent them from continuing

Examples

• Police detained the suspect for questioning.
• The teacher detained several students after class.
• Border officials may detain travelers for security checks.
• I don’t want to detain you any longer than necessary.
• The accident detained traffic for over an hour.
• Security guards detained the shoplifter until police arrived.
• Sorry I’m late – an important phone call detained me.