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
In February, Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an arrest detainer requesting local authorities notify ICE before Cucol-Bol is released, the agency told CNN.
—
Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
The act, passed by City Council in 2014, bars police and other agencies from working with federal agencies regarding immigration detainers.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer was issued in August.
—Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
That 48-hour detainer does not apply to jails that have a contract with ICE.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detainer
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Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
The act, passed by City Council in 2014, bars police and other agencies from working with federal agencies regarding immigration detainers.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer was issued in August.
—Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
That 48-hour detainer does not apply to jails that have a contract with ICE.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 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 14 Sep. 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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