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

Synonyms

• detainment
• detention
• hold
• immurement
• imprisonment
• incarceration

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

Then the department receives the detainer, serves it and places a hold in the system. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025

The report also had names of inmates currently held in jail on local charges but who were also the subject of ICE detainers. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025

In Washington State, the Keep Washington Working Act instructs law enforcement to not honor immigration detainers. —Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 3 June 2025

Local authorities did not honor the detainer and released Dufren. —Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French detenour, alteration of detenir

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for detainer

• abstainer
• campaigner
• complainer
• container
• coplanar
• maintainer
• nonplanar
• retainer
• sustainer
• entertainer
• gainer
• plainer

Legal 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