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

New York City has policies that limit local law enforcement from sharing certain information with federal officers or honoring detainer requests unless immigrants have been convicted of violent crimes. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

Following an October 2025 weapon charge, ICE lodged a detainer against Bautista, but local officials declined the request under New York City's sanctuary policies. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Police released him rather than honor an ICE detainer, the report said. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026

The 31-year-old man was arrested and is being held without bond due to an ICE detainer for deportation, officials said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 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