B2 noun Neutral

arrest

/əˈrest/

The act of legally seizing someone and taking them into custody, typically by the police. It can also refer to the sudden stopping or cessation of a process or bodily function, such as the heart.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The police made an arrest just hours after the jewelry store robbery occurred.

The police caught and detained a suspect shortly after the crime.

2

The defendant's counsel argued that the arrest was performed without a valid warrant.

The lawyer claimed the legal seizure of the person was not authorized.

3

He was worried that a single arrest on his record would ruin his job prospects.

He feared having a record of being detained by police would affect his career.

Word Family

Noun
arrest
Verb
arrest
Adverb
arrestingly
Adjective
arresting
Related
arrestee
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Memory Tip

Think of 'A-Rest'. When you are under arrest, the police force you to 'rest' or stop what you are doing and stay in one place.

Quick Quiz

The officer told the suspect, 'You are under ______ for suspected burglary.'

Correct!

The correct answer is: arrest

Examples

1

The police made an arrest just hours after the jewelry store robbery occurred.

everyday

The police caught and detained a suspect shortly after the crime.

2

The defendant's counsel argued that the arrest was performed without a valid warrant.

formal

The lawyer claimed the legal seizure of the person was not authorized.

3

He was worried that a single arrest on his record would ruin his job prospects.

informal

He feared having a record of being detained by police would affect his career.

4

Sociological studies indicate a correlation between high arrest rates and systemic poverty.

academic

Research shows a link between the frequency of legal detentions and low income levels.

5

The sudden arrest of the project's funding led to a total cessation of operations.

business

The unexpected stopping of the money caused the project to end.

Word Family

Noun
arrest
Verb
arrest
Adverb
arrestingly
Adjective
arresting
Related
arrestee

Common Collocations

cardiac arrest A sudden stop in effective blood circulation due to the heart failing to pump.
under arrest The state of being held by the police or legal authorities.
make an arrest The action of the police seizing a suspect.
house arrest A sentence where a person is confined by authorities to their residence.
wrongful arrest The detention of a person without legal justification.

Common Phrases

place someone under arrest

To formally take someone into legal custody.

citizen's arrest

An arrest made by a person who is not a sworn law enforcement official.

resist arrest

To physically struggle against or try to escape from being taken into custody.

Often Confused With

arrest vs detention

Detention is the general act of keeping someone in official custody, while arrest is the specific legal procedure of seizing someone to charge them with a crime.

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Usage Notes

When used in a legal sense, it is usually a countable noun (e.g., 'three arrests'). When referring to a medical or physical stop (e.g., 'cardiac arrest'), it is often used as an uncountable concept or a specific event.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'arrest' only for criminals, forgetting its usage in medical contexts like 'cardiac arrest' or metaphorical contexts meaning 'to stop progress'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'A-Rest'. When you are under arrest, the police force you to 'rest' or stop what you are doing and stay in one place.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old French word 'arester', meaning 'to stay, stop, or remain'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun in legal contexts Followed by the preposition 'for' to state the reason (e.g., arrest for theft) Often used in the passive voice as a verb (e.g., was arrested)
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Cultural Context

In many English-speaking legal systems, an officer must read 'Miranda rights' during or shortly after an arrest to inform the person of their right to remain silent.

Quick Quiz

The officer told the suspect, 'You are under ______ for suspected burglary.'

Correct!

The correct answer is: arrest

Related Words

proceed

C1

The noun form, typically used in the plural 'proceeds,' refers to the total amount of money received from a particular event, sale, or activity. It is a formal term used in academic, legal, and business contexts to describe the result of a financial transaction or fundraising effort.

individual

C1

Relating to a single person or thing as distinct from a group. It describes something that is intended for, or used by, one person rather than a collective entity.

appropriately

B2

To perform an action in a manner that is suitable, right, or proper for a particular situation, person, or occasion. It implies following specific social norms, professional standards, or logical requirements.

region

B2

A region is an area of land that has common features, such as geography, climate, or culture, which distinguish it from other areas. It can refer to a large part of a country or the world and is often used in administrative or scientific contexts to organize space.

resource

B2

A stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively. In academic and informational contexts, it refers to a source of information or expertise used to support research or learning.

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

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