# detainee

/ˌditeɪˈni/ (US) · /dɪtˈeɪniː/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/detainee
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a person who is being held in a place like a prison or a police station. This is a formal word often used in news reports or legal documents.

For teachers: a person who is being held in custody, typically by a government or law enforcement agency. Often used in legal or journalistic contexts to describe individuals in a neutral or official capacity.

## Examples

- The detainee was released after the police finished their investigation.
- The lawyer met with the detainee to discuss the charges and prepare a defense strategy.
- International human rights organizations monitored the conditions of the detainee to ensure that the facility met the minimum standards for humane treatment and medical care.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.