detainee

noun

de·​tain·​ee di-ˌtā-ˈnē 

ˌdē-

: a person held in custody especially for political reasons

Examples of detainee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The report found that detainees were held in small metal cages, not provided appropriate living quarters and lacked access to clean water. — Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026

As part of the discussions, the two governments have agreed to allow the Atlanta Department of Corrections to maintain one floor and other administrative spaces at the facility, where the city would oversee municipal detainees. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Police said the men were suspected of terrorism and explosives offenses, prompting speculation that the detainees were planning to target RAF Fairford, possibly on behalf of a foreign power. — David Brennan, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

The administration has routinely said that its enforcement operations are carried out in compliance with federal law and that detainees are treated humanely. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1928, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for detainee

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

Legal 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