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
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
He is being held without bond in a Tulsa County jail and accused of being a fugitive from justice, along with a hold from Maryland to face charges in Morin’s homicide and a detainer request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—
Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2024
Authorities explained that an immigration detainer is a request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to state or local law enforcement agencies to notify ICE as early as possible before a removable noncitizen is released from custody.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2024
Mendez Mendez is being held at the Boone County Detention Center where he is held on an immigration detainer.
—Aaron Valdez, The Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2024
Luckett has been transferred to the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office has a detainer placed on him pending his release, the sheriff’s office says.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for detainer 
Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2024
Authorities explained that an immigration detainer is a request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to state or local law enforcement agencies to notify ICE as early as possible before a removable noncitizen is released from custody.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2024
Mendez Mendez is being held at the Boone County Detention Center where he is held on an immigration detainer.
—Aaron Valdez, The Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2024
Luckett has been transferred to the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office has a detainer placed on him pending his release, the sheriff’s office says.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for detainer
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detainer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near detainer
Cite this Entry
“Detainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detainer. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
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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