detainee
noun
de·tain·ee
di-ˌtā-ˈnē 
ˌdē-
: a person held in custody especially for political reasons
Examples of detainee in a Sentence
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The agreement would prohibit immigrant detainees from being released into Leavenworth unless they were arrested there or if a court specifically ordered it.
—
Matthew Kelly
february 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
According to the human-rights group Foro Penal, 344 detainees have been released, though none have been granted full freedom.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
All detainees are being provided with proper medical care.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
An investigation by The Desert Sun and The New York Times of video and internal reports found that deputies had ignored detainees leading up to their deaths by suicide.
—Christopher Damien, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
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Matthew Kelly
february 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
According to the human-rights group Foro Penal, 344 detainees have been released, though none have been granted full freedom.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
All detainees are being provided with proper medical care.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
An investigation by The Desert Sun and The New York Times of video and internal reports found that deputies had ignored detainees leading up to their deaths by suicide.
—Christopher Damien, USA Today, 1 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 4 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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