[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/detention.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / detention

[← D](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/D/)

# detention

«detention» in Mova's school dictionary: **A punishment at school where a pupil must stay in after…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

noun (detention, detentions)

### meaning for a pupil

1) A punishment at school where a pupil must stay in after lessons or at break time. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/detention/#m1)

2) Being kept somewhere by police or other officials so you cannot leave. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/detention/#m2)

### sense in the lessons

In school life, a detention is given for bad behaviour, being late or not doing homework; it is part of the rules and consequences. In stories, a character may get a detention and miss something fun. Phrases: «get a detention», «be in detention», «after-school detention», «lunchtime detention».

### examples

- Tom got a detention for being rude to the teacher. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/detention/#x1)
- I had to stay in detention at lunchtime. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/detention/#x2)
- If you forget your homework three times, you get a detention. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/detention/#x3)
- Detention lasted half an hour after school. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/detention/#x4)
- She spent detention writing a sorry letter. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/detention/#x5)
- The suspect was held in detention by the police. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/detention/#x6)

### note

Countable for the school punishment: «a detention», «two detentions». Related verb: detain (keep someone back). Do not confuse with «attention».

### In the corpora

- [A detention or lost play time is a consequence, and you think about what to do differently.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/257-school-adults-and-the-playground/9/)
- [At school, a child who hits, even to hit back, can get a detention or be sent home.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/391-just-hit-him-back-or-tell-a-teacher/20/)
- [Walking away and lying is a choice.» He got a detention — for the lie, not the window.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/428-the-broken-window-and-other-hidden-accidents/9/)
- [They'd been behind the bike shed, and laughed about the detention later.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/449-stories-that-change/20/)
- [You've still got detention.» Next day she is friendly to him in the corridor.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/477-saying-sorry-and-the-sorry-that-is-not-accepted/20/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «detention» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/detention/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.