noun

detainee

dih-tay-NEE

Detainee (noun) means a person held in official custody, especially without being formally charged with a crime. Example: “The detainees were held at the facility for months awaiting trial.”

noun

A person held in official custody, especially without being formally charged with a crime.

"The detainees were held at the facility for months awaiting trial."

How to use detainee

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone being held in custody.

Common pairings

a detainee's rights former detainee

Word forms

detainees plural

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The _____ were held at the facility for months awaiting trial.

Etymology

From detain + -ee, the suffix used for the person something is done to.

Synonyms

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political detainee

Rhymes for detainee

ee see bee wee nee pee fee tee zee gee vee ree

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Frequently asked questions

What does “detainee” mean?

The word “detainee” means a person held in official custody, especially without being formally charged with a crime. In plain terms, someone being held in custody.

How do you pronounce “detainee”?

“Detainee” is pronounced dih-tay-NEE (/ˌdɪteɪˈniː/ in IPA).

How do you use “detainee” in a sentence?

Here is “detainee” used in a sentence: “The detainees were held at the facility for months awaiting trial.”

What part of speech is “detainee”?

“Detainee” is a noun.