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
He is currently booked at the Chatham County Jail, sheriff’s office spokesperson Tawana Garrett told CNN Tuesday afternoon, under an immigration detainer – a request asking federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to notify ICE before the person is released.
—
Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Mecklenburg has received 111 detainers so far in 2026.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
The troopers reportedly delivered him to the Sequoyah County jail on a detainer for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 12 Feb. 2026
If someone is detained under an immigration detainer request, the bill states that the governmental body should give the judge authority to either grant or deny the person’s release on bail as well as record in their file, comply with and inform the detainee of the immigration detainer request.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detainer
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Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Mecklenburg has received 111 detainers so far in 2026.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
The troopers reportedly delivered him to the Sequoyah County jail on a detainer for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 12 Feb. 2026
If someone is detained under an immigration detainer request, the bill states that the governmental body should give the judge authority to either grant or deny the person’s release on bail as well as record in their file, comply with and inform the detainee of the immigration detainer request.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 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 21 Feb. 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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