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

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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.
Federal judges have ruled thousands of times that detainees should be released or granted bond hearings. — Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026 Typically, the detainees splash selfie photos and videos across social media from the sea and on land as a show of force. — Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 In September, Okińczyc-Cruz delivered to Leo nearly a dozen letters from detainees who had passed through the processing center in Broadview. — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 The change affected more than 16,000 detainees last month, the lawsuit says, delaying legal filings and limiting representation as the government prioritizes deportations. — Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 28 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

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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 1 Nov. 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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