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
Now that local leaders have cleared the way, CoreCivic can begin accepting detainees under its $60 million-a-year contract with ICE.
—
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Through its investigation, the AG's office is seeking to determine if ICE has engaged in civil rights violations, including holding detainees beyond legal limits, denying food, water and medical care, failing to provide sanitary conditions and denying access to legal counsel.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
He was not allowed to review medical records, examine facility health policies, assess staffing levels or speak confidentially with detainees.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Orange County leaders again heard a deluge of comments from the public, with several dozen opposing the county’s agreement with the federal government that allows the detention of immigration detainees at the jail.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
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Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Through its investigation, the AG's office is seeking to determine if ICE has engaged in civil rights violations, including holding detainees beyond legal limits, denying food, water and medical care, failing to provide sanitary conditions and denying access to legal counsel.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
He was not allowed to review medical records, examine facility health policies, assess staffing levels or speak confidentially with detainees.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Orange County leaders again heard a deluge of comments from the public, with several dozen opposing the county’s agreement with the federal government that allows the detention of immigration detainees at the jail.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 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 11 Mar. 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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