detainee

[dih-tey-nee, dee-tey-nee]

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of detainee¹

First recorded in 1925–30; detain + -ee

Example Sentences

This 2025 report finds that at least four of these camps are still operating, while detainees in regular prisons are still being tortured and abused.

From BBC

A congresswoman says ICE should be required to notify family when a detainee is transferred.

From Los Angeles Times

Congressional Democrats traveled to El Salvador to push for information about the detainees and came back empty-handed.

From Los Angeles Times

The charity has also said it had stopped receiving children of political detainees in 2018.

From BBC

Details remain scant, but the agreement stipulates the Palestinian group release all hostages in its custody in exchange for the release of an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israel jail.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hostage 
• prisoner 
• prisoner of war 
• slave