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
An immigration detainer was filed in 2017, but he was released before ICE could act.
—
Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The lawsuit cities a nonbinding advisory opinion Ellison issued in February that said neither state nor federal law authorizes state or local authorities to hold individuals for immigration detainers if they would otherwise be released from custody.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025
The sheriff’s office said Miller, who is from the Bahamas, is being held on a detainer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
On multiple occasions, the Marion County Sheriff's Office reaffirmed that the jail had a longstanding contract with the United States Marshals Service, allowing the agencies to use the jail for federal detainees and individuals on ICE detainers.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detainer
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Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The lawsuit cities a nonbinding advisory opinion Ellison issued in February that said neither state nor federal law authorizes state or local authorities to hold individuals for immigration detainers if they would otherwise be released from custody.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025
The sheriff’s office said Miller, who is from the Bahamas, is being held on a detainer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
On multiple occasions, the Marion County Sheriff's Office reaffirmed that the jail had a longstanding contract with the United States Marshals Service, allowing the agencies to use the jail for federal detainees and individuals on ICE detainers.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 24 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 8 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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