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
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
In all of 2024, for example, Orange County booked about 800 people on detainers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement into its jail.
—
Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025
Related article Immigration reporter mulls fate after denial of asylum request
ICE may issue immigration detainer requests to federal, state, or local agencies — including jails — to hold individuals in their custody for up to 48 additional hours so ICE officers can arrest the person.
—Marlon Sorto, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
Multiple Republicans have filed legislation on Beacon Hill that would hand local law enforcement the authority to hold people on civil immigration detainers, and the Legislature could be gearing up for tense committee hearings around local immigration laws.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 15 June 2025
After his arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a detainer request with Snohomish County Jail for Benitez-Santana, a Mexican citizen.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for detainer
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025
Related article Immigration reporter mulls fate after denial of asylum request
ICE may issue immigration detainer requests to federal, state, or local agencies — including jails — to hold individuals in their custody for up to 48 additional hours so ICE officers can arrest the person.
—Marlon Sorto, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
Multiple Republicans have filed legislation on Beacon Hill that would hand local law enforcement the authority to hold people on civil immigration detainers, and the Legislature could be gearing up for tense committee hearings around local immigration laws.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 15 June 2025
After his arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a detainer request with Snohomish County Jail for Benitez-Santana, a Mexican citizen.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for detainer
Cite this Entry
“Detainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detainer. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal 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
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