Definition

A person who is kept in custody or confinement, often for legal or political reasons.

Example

The government released the detainees after the trial was concluded.

Conversation

Did you hear about the detainee who was released last week?

Yeah, I read about it; it was all over the news.

I can't believe they held that detainee for so long without proper charges.

It's really concerning how some people are treated in custody.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Detainee → It is formed from "detain" (from Old French *detenir*, meaning to hold back or keep) and the suffix "-ee" (meaning a person who is the object of an action). A detainee is a person who is held back or kept in custody.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who is 'held back' ('detain') and the '-ee' indicates that this person is the one being affected by that action. This helps you remember that a detainee is someone who is kept in custody.

Visually Confused Words