To arrest means to officially seize and hold someone who is suspected of breaking the law. When police officers arrest someone, they take that person into custody, which means the person isn't free to leave. Officers usually explain what crime the person is suspected of committing and inform them of their rights. An arrest doesn't mean the person is guilty; it means authorities believe there's enough evidence to hold them while investigating or preparing for a trial.

You might read in a history book about how someone was arrested for a crime, or hear news about police making arrests.

Arrest can also mean to stop or catch someone's attention suddenly. A beautiful sunset might arrest your gaze, meaning it captures your attention so completely that you stop what you're doing to look at it. Teachers sometimes talk about arresting details in a story, meaning elements that grab your focus and make you pay close attention. In older books, you might see the word arresting used to describe someone with a striking appearance that makes people notice them immediately.