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.
Related Words
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