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détenir

to hold, detain

verb deh-tuh-NEER Less Common

Also means

to possess, hold (a record/title)

Usage Note

détenir conjugates like tenir (irregular). It covers two main senses: holding someone captive (détenu en prison — 'detained in prison') and holding an abstract thing (détenir un record — 'to hold a record', détenir un secret — 'to hold a secret'). The related noun détention means 'custody' or 'detention', and détenu is the noun for 'prisoner'.

Examples

"Il détient le record du monde."

Natural Translation

He holds the world record.

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