detainer

noun

de·​tain·​er di-ˈtā-nər How to pronounce detainer (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In all of 2024, for example, Orange County booked about 800 people on detainers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement into its jail. Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025 Related article Immigration reporter mulls fate after denial of asylum request ICE may issue immigration detainer requests to federal, state, or local agencies — including jails — to hold individuals in their custody for up to 48 additional hours so ICE officers can arrest the person. Marlon Sorto, CNN Money, 17 June 2025 Multiple Republicans have filed legislation on Beacon Hill that would hand local law enforcement the authority to hold people on civil immigration detainers, and the Legislature could be gearing up for tense committee hearings around local immigration laws. Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 15 June 2025 After his arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a detainer request with Snohomish County Jail for Benitez-Santana, a Mexican citizen. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for detainer

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French detenour, alteration of detenir

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of detainer was in 1619

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detainer. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Legal Definition

detainer

noun
de·​tain·​er di-ˈtā-nər How to pronounce detainer (audio)
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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