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
That’s a question especially pertinent to Somerville and Salem, two sanctuary zones that were recently slammed by Boston immigration officials for ignoring immigration detainers.
—
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
In the past, former correction officers said, the main focus was notifying the feds when someone with an immigration detainer was about to be released, rather than conducting joint investigations.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
Jose Fernando-Perez, 49, was charged over two years ago in Essex County, and ICE lodged an immigration detainer, but that was not honored and the suspect was let out on pre-trial release, ICE said Wednesday.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
The suspects are being held on no bond, and authorities placed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers on both men.
—Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detainer
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.
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
In the past, former correction officers said, the main focus was notifying the feds when someone with an immigration detainer was about to be released, rather than conducting joint investigations.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
Jose Fernando-Perez, 49, was charged over two years ago in Essex County, and ICE lodged an immigration detainer, but that was not honored and the suspect was let out on pre-trial release, ICE said Wednesday.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
The suspects are being held on no bond, and authorities placed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers on both men.
—Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 11 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 4 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share