GRE TOEFL detain Definition To keep someone from proceeding; to hold in custody. Example "The police detained the suspect for questioning." Sign in to save GRE Quiz → TOEFL Quiz → ← detachment detect → Study tips featuring "detain" Write GRE Words Into Your Own Sentences TOEFL Academic Vocabulary: Study by Topic Related words GRE swill GRE taper GRE testy GRE abacus SAT abase GRE abash GRE abate GRE abbreviate GRE abbreviation SAT abdicate SAT abdomen GRE abduct