remand

American  

[ri-mand] / rɪˈmænd /

verb (used with object)

1. to send back, remit, or consign again.

2. Law.

   1. to send back (a case) to a lower court from which it was appealed, with instructions as to what further proceedings should be had.

   2. (of a court or magistrate) to send back (a prisoner or accused person) into custody, as to await further proceedings.

---

noun

1. the act of remanding.

2. the state of being remanded.

3. a person remanded.

remand British  

/ rɪˈmɑːnd /

verb

1. law (of a court or magistrate) to send (a prisoner or accused person) back into custody or admit him to bail, esp on adjourning a case for further inquiries to be made

2. to send back

---

noun

1. the sending of a prisoner or accused person back into custody (or sometimes admitting him to bail) to await trial or continuation of his trial

2. the act of remanding or state of being remanded

3. in custody or on bail awaiting trial or completion of one's trial

Other Word Forms

• remandment noun

Etymology

Origin of remand

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English remaunden (verb), from Old French remander, from Late Latin remandāre “to repeat a command, send back word,” equivalent to re- re- + mandāre “to entrust, enjoin”; mandate

Explanation

In law, to remand is to send a case back to be reconsidered by another court — or to imprison someone who's been arrested until they go to trial. In some cases, a court will remand a case for a completely new trial, and in others it might instruct the new court to use different legal standards, or to decide only on a defendant's sentence. When a judge remands an accused criminal — holding them in custody until the case goes to trial — it's often because they have a criminal record or have been charged with very serious crimes.

Example Sentences

Suranovas replied at length and, when he was released on remand recently, agreed to meet.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

“It’s possible the CIT, as part of its remand, will set up some kind of court-overseen process,” said Greg Husisian, a partner at Foley & Lardner who is representing several Fortune 500 companies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

As police have placed him on remand for four weeks, he begins the trial in custody.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Judge Douglas Brown continued Kevin Shanley's remand as sentencing was adjourned for reports.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

I will remand the order I despatched to my banker.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Related Words

• adjourn
• bar
• block
• defer
• detain
• hamper
• hold
• impede
• keep
• obstruct
• postpone
• prevent
• prolong
• put off
• restrict
• shelve
• stall
• stay
• suspend
• withhold