WordGarden.iodetainee
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dɪtˈeɪniː/
US
- /ˌditeɪˈni/
Meanings
Noun
a person held in official custody
Beyond the definition
The word "detainee" describes someone who is being held in official custody—but not necessarily convicted of a crime. Think of it as a state of legal limbo. Often, you'll hear this term used when discussing people held for questioning, those waiting for trial, or people captured during wartime. It can sound more official—and sometimes more debated—than the word "prisoner," because it suggests the person's final legal status is still being decided. From immigration officers holding people at the border to high-profile stories of individuals held at Guantanamo Bay without formal charges, a "detainee" is defined by the restriction of their movement by an authority.
"Detainee" refers to a person who is being kept in custody by an authority, such as the police, the military, or immigration officials. The crucial distinction between a "detainee" and a "prisoner" is often one of legal standing: while a prisoner is typically someone serving a sentence after a conviction, a detainee is someone whose status is still under investigation or determination. They are held while authorities decide whether to charge them, deport them, or release them.
The term gained significant global prominence in the post-9/11 era. It became the standard designation for individuals held at facilities like Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In this context, these detainees were often suspected of involvement in conflict or terrorism but had not been formally charged in a traditional court. This usage has given the word a complex, sometimes heavy meaning, often sparking debates regarding human rights, due process, and the limits of state power.
Beyond international conflict, "detainee" is a common term in immigration and domestic law enforcement. Immigration authorities may detain individuals suspected of violating visa laws while they await a deportation hearing. Similarly, in a legal sense, a person can be a detainee the moment they are arrested and held in a cell before their first appearance in front of a judge. Ultimately, being a "detainee" signifies a temporary but restrictive state between freedom and the formal finality of imprisonment. It is a word frequently found in legal briefs, news reports, and human rights discourse.
Examples
- 1
Police station
A detainee asked to call his family after he arrived at the station.
- 2
Release without charge
The police released two detainees without charge that evening.
- Phrasewithout charge
without officially accusing them of a crime
- 3
Legal status
The lawyer said her client had been kept as a detainee for three days.
- 4
Political detention
Human rights groups called for the release of all political detainees.
- Phrasepolitical detainees
people held because of their political views or actions
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Immigration cases
The center holds immigration detainees while their cases are reviewed.
- Domainimmigration detainees
people being held because of an immigration case
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- detaineenoun
Forms
- detaineespluralnoun