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
Kubiszewski said Milwaukee County used to honor ICE detainers but that stopped in about 2013.
—
John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 16 Dec. 2025
According to data provided by ICE, Illinois has released 1,768 criminal aliens with active detainers since January 2025.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Ackerson also noted Greenberg's directive for Louisville Metro Department of Corrections to hold inmates for up to an additional 48 hours to comply with ICE detainers helped the city avoid a sanctuary city designation.
—Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Dec. 2025
The goal of detainers is to give ICE agents more time to pick someone up if they are suspected of being in the country illegally.
—CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detainer
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John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 16 Dec. 2025
According to data provided by ICE, Illinois has released 1,768 criminal aliens with active detainers since January 2025.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Ackerson also noted Greenberg's directive for Louisville Metro Department of Corrections to hold inmates for up to an additional 48 hours to comply with ICE detainers helped the city avoid a sanctuary city designation.
—Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Dec. 2025
The goal of detainers is to give ICE agents more time to pick someone up if they are suspected of being in the country illegally.
—CBS News, 3 Dec. 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 20 Dec. 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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