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

Immigration detainers are currently only issued for immigrants charged or convicted of violent or other serious offenses. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

The city is prevented from assisting ICE agents with detainer requests or notifying ICE about an individual's release. —Mike D'onofrio, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024

An immigration detainer is a request by ICE to take a person into its custody. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 27 Dec. 2024

Once he is charged and a holding location is released, ERO will lodge an immigration detainer with the NYPD location where he is being held. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French detenour, alteration of detenir

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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