Detainees Meaning in English
word · lemma: detainee
Definition
People who are being kept in custody by the authorities, usually because they are suspected of a crime or for security reasons.
Usage & Nuances
Often used in legal, news, or official contexts. Refers specifically to people held in custody but not necessarily convicted of a crime. Common with 'political detainees' or 'prison camp detainees'. Not interchangeable with 'prisoners' or 'inmates' which imply conviction.
Example Sentences
The detainees are waiting for their lawyers.
basic
There are over fifty detainees in the center.
basic
The families of the detainees want answers.
basic
Lawyers voiced concern about the conditions faced by the detainees.
natural
Some detainees have been held without trial for months.
natural
The government released several detainees as a gesture of goodwill.
natural