Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Detention \De*ten"tion\, n. [L. detentio: cf. F. d['e]tention.
   See {Detain}.]
   1. The act of detaining or keeping back; a withholding.

   2. The state of being detained (stopped or hindered); delay
      from necessity.

   3. Confinement; restraint; custody.

            The archduke Philip . . . found himself in a sort of
            honorable detention at Henry's court. --Hallam.

Source : WordNet®

detention
     n 1: a state of being confined (usually for a short time); "his
          detention was politically motivated"; "the prisoner is
          on hold"; "he is in the custody of police" [syn: {hold},
           {custody}]
     2: a punishment in which a student must stay at school after
        others have gone home; "the detention of tardy pupils"