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
Orange County Corrections Chief Louis A. Quiñones Jr. said the jail booked about 1,000 inmates into the jail in 2024 who had ICE detainers, meaning ICE had requested they not be released, including 444 who did not face any additional state criminal charge.
—
Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
About 32 people are in criminal custody with active detainers against them.
—April Rubin, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025
Elliston said he’s asked the U.S. Department of Justice to take action against Prince George’s and Howard counties because both jurisdictions are resistant to honor ICE detainers.
—Mikenzie Frost, Baltimore Sun, 20 Feb. 2025
The statement goes on to say that immigration detainers, standing alone, are civil or administrative requests, and not the subject of criminal matters.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detainer
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Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
About 32 people are in criminal custody with active detainers against them.
—April Rubin, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025
Elliston said he’s asked the U.S. Department of Justice to take action against Prince George’s and Howard counties because both jurisdictions are resistant to honor ICE detainers.
—Mikenzie Frost, Baltimore Sun, 20 Feb. 2025
The statement goes on to say that immigration detainers, standing alone, are civil or administrative requests, and not the subject of criminal matters.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 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 13 Apr. 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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