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 agency did not specify the number of detainees relocated or confirm if they would be returned to Krome once conditions improve.
—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Some only learned about ICE’s ambitions after the agency bought or leased space for detainees.
—
ABC News,
23 June 2026
How many detainees were moved is unclear, but lawyers argue that while some were sent to the Federal Detention Center in Miami and other South Florida facilities, Vorbe was instead sent to Mississippi.
—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
In recent weeks, other Democrats have continued to go to detention centers, including in New Jersey and Texas, seeking to review detainees' access to food and medical care, and information about detention capacity.
—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for detainee
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Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Some only learned about ICE’s ambitions after the agency bought or leased space for detainees.
—
ABC News,
23 June 2026
How many detainees were moved is unclear, but lawyers argue that while some were sent to the Federal Detention Center in Miami and other South Florida facilities, Vorbe was instead sent to Mississippi.
—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
In recent weeks, other Democrats have continued to go to detention centers, including in New Jersey and Texas, seeking to review detainees' access to food and medical care, and information about detention capacity.
—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
20 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 27 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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