detainer

noun

de·​tain·​er di-ˈtā-nər 

1

: the act of keeping something in one's possession

specifically : the withholding from the rightful owner of something that has lawfully come into the possession of the holder

2

: detention in custody

3

: a writ authorizing the keeper of a prison to continue to hold a person in custody

Synonyms of detainer

• detention
• imprisonment
• incarceration

Examples of detainer in a Sentence

keep him in detainer for at least 72 hours

she filed an action for unlawful detainer of land after nonpayment of rent

Recent Examples on the Web

His client has an immigration detainer asking the Bureau of Prisons to transfer him directly to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, McWilliams told CNN. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

The jail was holding eight inmates Wednesday solely on an immigration detainer, but 184 other inmates on local charges and an ICE detainer. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

The Department of Homeland Security has lodged an immigration detainer against him. — Elaine Mallon , James Cirrone , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026

She is also accused of being in the country legally, and is being held in the Forsyth County Detention Center under a Department of Homeland Security Immigration detainer, officials said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French detenour, alteration of detenir

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for detainer

• abstainer
• campaigner
• complainer
• container
• coplanar
• maintainer
• nonplanar
• retainer
• sustainer
• entertainer
• gainer
• plainer

Legal Definition

detainer

noun

de·​tain·​er di-ˈtā-nər 

1

: the act of keeping something in one's possession

specifically : unlawful detainer

2

: detention in custody

3

: a notification sent by a prosecutor, judge, or other official advising a prison official that a prisoner is wanted to answer criminal charges and requesting continued detention of the prisoner or notification of the prisoner's impending release compare extradition

Etymology

Anglo-French detenoure, from detenir to restrain, detain, from Old French, from Latin detinere