detainee
noun
de·tain·ee
di-ˌtā-ˈnē 
ˌdē-
: a person held in custody especially for political reasons
Examples of detainee in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The photo of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos from Ecuador, who was detained with his father in Minneapolis while wearing a Spider-Man backpack and a blue bunny hat, went viral on social media and triggered widespread condemnation and a protest by the detainees.
—
Mica Rosenberg, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The center is expected to hold up to 10,000 detainees—more than twice the entire population of Social Circle.
—Brian Unger, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
If someone is detained, families can try ICE’s online detainee locator to find them.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Immigrant detainees can petition for their release after being held in detention for six months beyond a judge's order for removal or release.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
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Mica Rosenberg, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The center is expected to hold up to 10,000 detainees—more than twice the entire population of Social Circle.
—Brian Unger, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
If someone is detained, families can try ICE’s online detainee locator to find them.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Immigrant detainees can petition for their release after being held in detention for six months beyond a judge's order for removal or release.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detainee
Cite this Entry
“Detainee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detainee. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
detainee
noun
de·tain·ee
di-ˌtā-ˈnē
: a person who is detained
especially
: a person held in custody prior to trial or hearing
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