detainer
Americannoun
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a writ for the further detention of a person already in custody.
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the wrongful detaining or withholding of what belongs to another.
noun
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the wrongful withholding of the property of another person
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the detention of a person in custody
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a writ authorizing the further detention of a person already in custody
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of detainer
1610–20; < Anglo-French detener (noun use of infinitive), variant of Old French detenir; see detain
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.
US immigration authorities had placed a detainer on him as part of that case, which is a request for someone who is a non-US citizen to be taken into their custody should they be released.
From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2026
But in Hernández’s case, the Federal Bureau of Prisons scrambled to get his detainer removed so he could walk free.
From Salon ● Feb. 19, 2026
New York City’s existing sanctuary and detainer laws already prohibit New York City’s police department from assisting federal agents with civil immigration enforcement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026
Marshals, he was immediately transferred to ICE custody on Nov. 24, pursuant to a detainer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 28, 2025
Nobody else went to the expense of lodging a detainer, trusting to our holding him fast enough, I warrant you.
From Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
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.
