/ Dictionary / Index D detent: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: de•tent Pronunciation: (di-tent'), [key] — n. Mach. a mechanism that temporarily keeps one part in a certain position relative to that of another, and can be released by applying force to one of the parts. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: detent (Thesaurus) detector détente Related Content Daily Word Quiz: lyceum Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language