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detainee

American  
[dih-tey-nee, dee-tey-nee] / dɪˈteɪ ni, ˌdi teɪˈni /

noun

  1. a person held in custody, especially for a political offense or for questioning.

Etymology

Origin of detainee

First recorded in 1925–30; detain + -ee

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Despite the Venezuelan government’s pledge to release “an important number” of detainees, just 49 had been released as of Monday, according to legal aid group Foro Penal.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The Islamic republic regime must heed the voice of the people and immediately release all detainees," it said.

From Barron's

Khan’s experience at the facility was similar to that of other detainees who filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and ICE.

From Los Angeles Times

Protesters on Sunday also demanded the release of detainees.

From Barron's

A fourth remand detainee awaiting trial for alleged offences relating to the Palestine Action group has ended a hunger strike after more than 50 days.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.