de·ten·tion 
/dɪˈtɛnʃən/ noun
plural de·ten·tions /dɪˈtɛnʃən/ noun 1 a : the act of keeping someone in a prison or similar place [noncount] ▪ the detention of suspected terrorists ▪ detention camps/facilities [count] ▪ The jail is only used for brief detentions.
b [noncount] : the state of being kept in a prison or similar place
▪ Dozens of protesters were held/kept in detention for six hours. [=were detained for six hours] 2 : a punishment in which a student is required to stay at school after the rest of the students have left [count] ▪ They both got/received three detentions this year. [noncount] ▪ He got detention for being late to class.
b [noncount] : the state of being kept in a prison or similar place
▪ Dozens of protesters were held/kept in detention for six hours. [=were detained for six hours]
