noun
detainee
dih-tay-NEE
noun
1
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 notesIn 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.