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
Stankovic's immigration status caused ICE to put a detainer on him as he was being taken to the Porter County Jail.
—
Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Though a judge ordered his release on bond, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers issued a detainer against him.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 3 Oct. 2025
The court ordered that Roberts be detained and was advised that an immigration detainer has been lodged, according to the docket.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2025
The Hennepin County jail, for example, won’t hold people solely for administrative immigration detainers and doesn’t notify immigration authorities when individuals subject to those detainers are released.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detainer
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Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Though a judge ordered his release on bond, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers issued a detainer against him.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 3 Oct. 2025
The court ordered that Roberts be detained and was advised that an immigration detainer has been lodged, according to the docket.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2025
The Hennepin County jail, for example, won’t hold people solely for administrative immigration detainers and doesn’t notify immigration authorities when individuals subject to those detainers are released.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 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 25 Oct. 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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