Detain
In short
To detain someone is to hold them in custody or restrict their freedom of movement. This is usually done by the police or government authorities during an investigation.
In plain words
It means keeping a person in a specific place so they cannot leave. This can happen while the police check if someone has broken the law.
A simple example
A police officer stops a person on the street and tells them they cannot walk away while they are being questioned. This act is a form of detention.
Why it matters
It is a powerful tool used to maintain public order and catch criminals. However, it must follow strict laws to ensure people's human rights are protected.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse it with 'detain' in a social sense, such as keeping someone's attention with a long story.