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
Earlier this week, the Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled in favor of Rourke’s landlord in an unlawful detainer case, according to People.
—
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
Lost in all the heated rhetoric is the fact that so much of this turmoil would have been avoided if federal detainers were simply honored within local jails and state prisons — away from the public and professional provocateurs who are drawn to uncivil cultural conflict like bees to honey.
—Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
The county sheriff’s office said that ICE did not submit any other detainers or warrants stemming from Jalloh’s numerous arrests over the years.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
At the same news conference, one of Mejia's attorneys noted the Austin mother would spend another 48 hours in the Travis County jail because of the detainer rather than with her family.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detainer
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Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
Lost in all the heated rhetoric is the fact that so much of this turmoil would have been avoided if federal detainers were simply honored within local jails and state prisons — away from the public and professional provocateurs who are drawn to uncivil cultural conflict like bees to honey.
—Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
The county sheriff’s office said that ICE did not submit any other detainers or warrants stemming from Jalloh’s numerous arrests over the years.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
At the same news conference, one of Mejia's attorneys noted the Austin mother would spend another 48 hours in the Travis County jail because of the detainer rather than with her family.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detainer
Cite this Entry
“Detainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detainer. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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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