detainer

noun de·tain·er \ di-ˈtā-nər \

Definition of detainer

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 of detainer from the Web

Known as the Trust Act, the legislation would prohibit state and local police in Illinois from arresting or detaining a person solely because of their immigration status, or based on a federal immigration detainer.

— kim geiger, chicagotribune.com, "Rauner will sign immigration bill, aide says," 22 Aug. 2017
To address that, detainers ask that these people be held for up to an additional 48 hours.

— caitlin dickerson, The Seattle Times, "Trump administration moves to expand deportation dragnet to jails," 21 Aug. 2017
ICE expects the implementation of new policies and executive orders to lead increases in arrest [sic], charging documents and detainers issued either at the border or in the interior of the country in fiscal year '18.

— jack moore, GQ, "Private Prisons Are Excited About Trump's Immigration Crackdown," 10 Aug. 2017
Kice said the case shows the importance of recognizing immigration detainers.

— jessica floum, OregonLive.com, "Portland to treat drinking water with filtration after parasite detections pass state limits," 2 Aug. 2017
Yeiser’s landlord then filed an unlawful detainer complaint that July, seeking payment of $1,628 plus attorney fees.

— sara jean green, The Seattle Times, "Gunman killed during Bainbridge Island standoff battled depression, lost job," 10 July 2017
Connecticut’s governor directed police chiefs across the state Wednesday to avoid taking any special action against undocumented immigrants, including honoring immigration detainer requests from ICE.

— gregory korte, USA TODAY, "Here is every question Sean Spicer has been asked over Skype in the past 5 months," 5 July 2017
For years, immigrant advocacy groups have asked county jails not to grant ICE detainer requests.

— niraj warikoo, Detroit Free Press, "Wayne County sheriff, ICE clash on holding immigrant inmates," 2 July 2017
That could include as many as four court commissioners, who hear and make decisions on family and juvenile court cases, criminal, traffic, small claims and unlawful detainer cases.

— dana littlefield, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego Superior Court to close courtrooms, cut staff because of budget shortfall," 2 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'detainer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of detainer

Anglo-French detenour, alteration of detenir

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First Known Use: 1619

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detainer Synonyms

Synonyms

detention, detainment, hold, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration

Antonyms

discharge, release

Related Words

captivity, confinement, internment; apprehension, arrest, arrestment, bust [slang], collar, pinch; capture, entrapment, seizure; enchainment, restraint

Near Antonyms

emancipation, freedom, liberation

Law Dictionary

detainer

noun de·tain·er \ di-ˈtā-nər \

legal Definition of detainer

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

Origin and Etymology of detainer

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

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detainer

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