What does "arrest" mean?
A check; a stop; an act or instance of arresting something.
Arrest
/əˈɹɛst/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A check; a stop; an act or instance of arresting something.
- Grammar: arrest is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: apprehension, check, halt, halt.
- Useful contrasts: accelerate, advance, circulation.
- Usage evidence: They chased the man to arrest him.
How to use "arrest"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "arrest" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "arrest" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "arrest" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "arrest" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "arrest" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "apprehension" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "arrest", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A check; a stop; an act or instance of arresting something. countable, uncountable
- 2 the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal) wordnet
- 3 The condition of being stopped, standstill. countable, uncountable
"cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest"
- 4 the state of inactivity following an interruption wordnet
- 5 The process of arresting a criminal, suspect etc. countable, uncountable
"State police made a total of 15 drug-related arrests across the city."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 A confinement, detention, as after an arrest. countable, uncountable
- 7 A device to physically arrest motion. countable, uncountable
- 8 The judicial detention of a ship to secure a financial claim against its operators. countable, uncountable
- 9 Any seizure by power, physical or otherwise. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"The sad stories of fire from heaven, the burning of his sheep, etc., […] were sad arrests to his troubled spirit."
- 10 A scurfiness of the back part of the hind leg of a horse countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To stop the motion of (a person, animal, or body part). obsolete, transitive
"An vncouth paine torments my grieued ſoule, And death arreſts the organe of my voyce."
- 2 hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of wordnet
- 3 To stay, remain. intransitive, obsolete
"A white Starre[…]whiche to every mans sighte did lighte and arrest apon the Standard of Albry."
- 4 take into custody wordnet
- 5 To stop or slow (a process, course etc.). transitive
"To try to arrest the spiral of violence, I contacted Chief Buthelezi to arrange a meeting."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 attract and fix wordnet
- 7 To seize (someone) with the authority of the law; to take into legal custody. transitive
"The police have arrested a suspect in the murder inquiry."
- 8 cause to come to an abrupt stop wordnet
- 9 To catch the attention of. transitive
"There is something about this picture—something bold and vigorous, which arrests the attention. I feel sure it would be highly popular."
- 10 To undergo cardiac arrest. intransitive
"Realizing the mistake immediately from the outline of the RCA on the fluoroscope screen, he rapidly removed the catheter – just as his patient arrested."
Example
"They chased the man to arrest him."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "arrest"?
Common synonyms include: apprehension, check, halt, halt, stop, stoppage.
How do you use "arrest" in a sentence?
They chased the man to arrest him.
How do you pronounce "arrest"?
Pronounced /əˈɹɛst/.
Etymology
From Middle English arest (noun) and aresten (verb), from Old French areste (noun) and arester (“to stay, stop”, verb), from Vulgar Latin *arrestō, from Latin ad- (“to”) + restō (“to stop, remain behind, stay back”), from re- (“back”) + stō (“to stand”), from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand”), equivalent to ad- + rest. Compare French arrêter (“to stop”).