détenir

/de.tə.niʁ/
to hold or possess

Il détient une position importante dans l'entreprise.

He holds an important position in the company.


formal

To hold or possess something, often with authority or responsibility.

Le gouvernement détient les clés de la réforme.

The government holds the keys to reform.

Often used in legal or formal contexts to indicate possession or control.

Law
formal

To keep someone in custody or detention.

La police détient le suspect depuis hier.

The police have been holding the suspect since yesterday.

Used in legal contexts to describe detention.

Collocations

détenir une positionto hold a positiondétenir des informationsto hold informationdétenir quelqu'un en détentionto hold someone in detention

Related Phrases

Pro Tip

Formal Usage

Use 'détenir' in formal or legal contexts to indicate possession or control.

Gold Rule

Legal Context

In legal contexts, 'détenir' often means to hold someone in custody.

Word Origin

From Old French 'detendre', from Latin 'detinere' (to hold back).

Usage Notes

Often used in formal or legal contexts to indicate possession or control. Can also refer to holding someone in custody.

Word Breakdown

dé-
intensive prefix
prefix
+
-tenir
to hold
root
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais