detainee
noun
de·tain·ee
di-ˌtā-ˈnē 
ˌdē-
: a person held in custody especially for political reasons
Examples of detainee in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The attorney’s criticism of the training program comes as federal judges have slammed ICE and Border Patrol agents for using chemical agents on protesters, barring detainees access to legal counsel and making unlawful arrests.
—
Michael Loria, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
The agency's plans had called for a warehouse on Robert Milligan Parkway to be converted into a 400-600 bed facility that would house detainees for an average of three to seven days.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Government officials say more than 2,000 detainees have been released under precautionary measures and at least 177 prisoners have received full amnesty benefits, according to figures provided by ruling party lawmaker Jorge Arreaza, who heads the parliamentary commission overseeing compliance.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Immigration detainees have described life inside the west suburban processing facility as dehumanizing, a Tribune investigation over the summer found.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
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Michael Loria, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
The agency's plans had called for a warehouse on Robert Milligan Parkway to be converted into a 400-600 bed facility that would house detainees for an average of three to seven days.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Government officials say more than 2,000 detainees have been released under precautionary measures and at least 177 prisoners have received full amnesty benefits, according to figures provided by ruling party lawmaker Jorge Arreaza, who heads the parliamentary commission overseeing compliance.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Immigration detainees have described life inside the west suburban processing facility as dehumanizing, a Tribune investigation over the summer found.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detainee
Cite this Entry
“Detainee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detainee. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
detainee
noun
de·tain·ee
di-ˌtā-ˈnē
: a person who is detained
especially
: a person held in custody prior to trial or hearing
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