detainee

noun

de·​tain·​ee di-ˌtā-ˈnē How to pronounce detainee (audio)
ˌdē-
Synonyms of detaineenext
: a person held in custody especially for political reasons

Examples of detainee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Under his leadership, Israel’s prison service has drawn allegations of abuse for its treatment of Palestinian detainees. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 Instead, photos posted on social media show three other detainees carrying Nalwamba to a waiting vehicle. — Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026 The vote followed a lengthy discussion by council members who debated whether selling the detention center was in the best interest of Atlanta, its residents or the detainees who would be held behind bars. — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Earlier discussions included allowing the Atlanta Department of Corrections to retain one floor and administrative space to oversee municipal detainees. — Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detainee

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of detainee was circa 1928

Rhymes for detainee

See All Rhymes for detainee

Browse Nearby Words

detain
detainee
detainer
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Cite this Entry

“Detainee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detainee. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

detainee

noun
de·​tain·​ee di-ˌtā-ˈnē How to pronounce detainee (audio)
: a person who is detained
especially : a person held in custody prior to trial or hearing

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