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
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Similar allegations from former detainees have fueled longstanding accusations by activists and researchers that Chinese authorities harvested organs from prisoners of conscience, claims Beijing has repeatedly denied. Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026 Bonta said that since the state's 2023 inspections, the number of detainees has surged from 2,303 to 6,028 as of their site visits last year. Paris Barraza, USA Today, 15 May 2026 Isidro Perez, who died at 75 in June after suffering heart problems inside Krome, was the oldest detainee to die in ICE custody since 2006. Rob Kuznia, CNN Money, 15 May 2026 Immigration attorney Nicolas Aguado said families and attorneys are often forced to scramble when detainees are moved. Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 14 May 2026 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 20 May. 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

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