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
Rivera-Estrada is accused of multiple felony offenses tied to manslaughter and child abuse and was held on a $100,000 bond, but county prosecutors did not file charges, and she was released from local custody before being taken into ICE custody on an immigration detainer.
—
Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
He was later released on bond and turned over to ICE in Hartford pursuant to an ICE detainer.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
According to the petition and jailhouse records, Williams wasn’t booked in the jail on anything other than the immigration detainer.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Before releasing Nurul Amin, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office honored the year-old immigration detainer and notified the Border Patrol.
—Dan Barry, New York Times, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for detainer
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Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
He was later released on bond and turned over to ICE in Hartford pursuant to an ICE detainer.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
According to the petition and jailhouse records, Williams wasn’t booked in the jail on anything other than the immigration detainer.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Before releasing Nurul Amin, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office honored the year-old immigration detainer and notified the Border Patrol.
—Dan Barry, New York Times, 12 May 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 26 May. 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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