detainer

noun de·tain·er \ di-ˈtā-nər \

|Updated on: 3 Jul 2018

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

Wiles said his county cooperates with the federal government on a number of public safety issues related to immigration, including honoring ICE detainer requests in the jail.

— samantha schmidt, chicagotribune.com, "Texas sheriff refuses to help feds guard migrant children tent city, saying 'it's wrong'," 21 June 2018
Without any regard for the safety of its citizens, on May 10, Marion County brazenly ignored an immigration detainer and released a Mexican woman from its jail without first notifying U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

— domenica bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "Marion County says ICE allowed release of a woman here illegally and is blaming the county," 12 May 2018
Protection from liability isn't likely to make jurisdictions suddenly follow the detainer requests, Peters said.

— sarah d. wire, latimes.com, "GOP bill would let crime victims sue 'sanctuary' cities; critics decry 'total political theater'," 15 June 2018
The Taiwanese native is being held on a detainer lodged by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and will be held until his next court date.

— erin mccarthy, Philly.com, "Foreign exchange student faces new federal charge after Delaware County school shooting threat," 6 June 2018
If the bad hombres were wanted for homicide, molestation or aggravated assault, there’d be something more than an ICE detainer out for them.

— bill torpy, ajc, "Torpy at Large: Casey at the bat, swinging at ‘illegals’ in Decatur," 4 June 2018
As of early April, Volusia had just one detainer request from ICE for 2018.

— NBC News, "This Florida county voted for Trump. But it's a lot like the sanctuary cities he loathes.," 23 Apr. 2018
He is also being held on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer.

— dana burke, Houston Chronicle, "$135K in meth seized in bust near Katy Mills Mall," 13 Apr. 2018
Activists want McFadden to disregard ICE detainers.

— jane wester, charlotteobserver, "Next sheriff plans to end controversial immigration program. Will it make a difference? | Charlotte Observer," 9 May 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1619

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

detainer Synonyms

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