detainee

noun

de·​tain·​ee di-ˌtā-ˈnē How to pronounce detainee (audio)
ˌdē-
Synonyms of detaineenext
: a person held in custody especially for political reasons

Examples of detainee in a Sentence

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.
Another former detainee, Renzo Huamanchumo Castillo, a Peruvian-American, told the outlet he was arrested last year and accused of terrorism and plotting to kill Maduro. Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025 For The Washington Post via Getty Images Detained Venezuelans embrace upon arrival at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas as part of a detainee exchange agreement between Venezuela and United States on July 18, 2025. Caroline Linton, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025 The Washington Post report also details wider-ranging plans by ICE and DHS for facilities across the country, including larger detention centers capable of holding between 5,000 and 10,000 beds along with smaller sites holding up to 1,500 detainees. Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2025 After a week of protests, the Nazis released some 1,800 of the detainees. Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for detainee

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of detainee was circa 1928

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Cite this Entry

“Detainee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detainee. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.

Legal Definition

detainee

noun
de·​tain·​ee di-ˌtā-ˈnē How to pronounce detainee (audio)
: a person who is detained
especially : a person held in custody prior to trial or hearing

More from Merriam-Webster on detainee

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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