detainee
noun
de·tain·ee
di-ˌtā-ˈnē 
ˌdē-
: a person held in custody especially for political reasons
Examples of detainee in a Sentence
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The New York Times reported earlier this month that only about 60% of the detainees have criminal convictions and that 900 men are sleeping in tents.
—
Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Cava said county officials were concerned about Alligator Alcatraz’s environmental impact on the Everglades, the conditions of detainees based on news stories that described dangerous conditions and the threat of hurricanes.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
Given its close proximity to Newark Liberty International Airport, the center has played a pivotal role in housing immigrants awaiting deportation, and has held more than 2,000 immigration detainees in recent years.
—Nick Sibilla, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
DeSantis hosted Trump for a tour of the facility on July 1 and detainees began arriving on July 3.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2025
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Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Cava said county officials were concerned about Alligator Alcatraz’s environmental impact on the Everglades, the conditions of detainees based on news stories that described dangerous conditions and the threat of hurricanes.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
Given its close proximity to Newark Liberty International Airport, the center has played a pivotal role in housing immigrants awaiting deportation, and has held more than 2,000 immigration detainees in recent years.
—Nick Sibilla, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
DeSantis hosted Trump for a tour of the facility on July 1 and detainees began arriving on July 3.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for detainee
Cite this Entry
“Detainee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detainee. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
detainee
noun
de·tain·ee
di-ˌtā-ˈnē
: a person who is detained
especially
: a person held in custody prior to trial or hearing
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