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

• detainment
• detention
• hold
• immurement
• 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

Baltimore County did not honor ICE detainers previously, but recently reached a compromise to provide notice before releasing someone with a detainer. —Maxine Streicher, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2024

As of June 5, Baltimore City Central Booking received 88 ICE detainers and honored them all. —Maxine Streicher, Baltimore Sun, 3 July 2024

Such detainers are requests from federal immigration authorities to state or local law enforcement agencies for notification before a removable noncitizen is released from their custody. —Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 2 July 2024

Such detainers are for noncitizens accused of a crime and who have been apprehended by police. —Pilar Arias, Fox News, 27 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French detenour, alteration of detenir

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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