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 footage shows men and women with bags over their heads, chained to the wall in the underground tunnels, looking not that dissimilar from detainees at Abu Ghraib.
—
Jen Chaney, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Kansas City has not had its own jail since 2009 and currently contracts out with other counties to hold detainees.
—Dylan Lysen
june 16, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026
Several detainees have reportedly been on a hunger strike to protest the inhumane conditions in these deplorable warehouse camps, with overcrowding, physical and psychological abuse, rancid food, scant medical care and many deaths.
—Nancy Rudner, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2026
Hundreds of detainees were on a hunger strike, asking for unspoiled food, medical care, and an end to punitive transfers, among other demands.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for detainee
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Jen Chaney, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Kansas City has not had its own jail since 2009 and currently contracts out with other counties to hold detainees.
—Dylan Lysen
june 16, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026
Several detainees have reportedly been on a hunger strike to protest the inhumane conditions in these deplorable warehouse camps, with overcrowding, physical and psychological abuse, rancid food, scant medical care and many deaths.
—Nancy Rudner, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2026
Hundreds of detainees were on a hunger strike, asking for unspoiled food, medical care, and an end to punitive transfers, among other demands.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 15 June 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 18 Jun. 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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