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
On Monday, Ramagem appeared as in custody in ICE's online detainee database, although where he is being held was not specified.
—
CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Among other complaints, detainees there allege systemic medical neglect and inadequate food and water.
—Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
The return of two French detainees from Iran this month has highlighted Brière’s run-in with French bureaucracy upon his own return to France in 2023, sparking a public apology this weekend from the French tax authority.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
That flood of money has also allowed ICE to hire thousands of agents and expand the number of detention center beds, even moving to purchase warehouses to house more detainees.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
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CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Among other complaints, detainees there allege systemic medical neglect and inadequate food and water.
—Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
The return of two French detainees from Iran this month has highlighted Brière’s run-in with French bureaucracy upon his own return to France in 2023, sparking a public apology this weekend from the French tax authority.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
That flood of money has also allowed ICE to hire thousands of agents and expand the number of detention center beds, even moving to purchase warehouses to house more detainees.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 13 Apr. 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 21 Apr. 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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