Detainee: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'detainee' when referring to someone who is being held by the authorities for questioning or due to suspicious activities. This term often implies the person has not necessarily been convicted of a crime.

• The detainee was held for several hours before being released without charges.
• Authorities confirmed that the detainee was cooperating with the investigation.

The word 'prisoner' is a general term for someone who is held in custody and has lost their freedom, usually after being convicted of a crime. It can also be used in more generic contexts, such as being a 'prisoner of war'.

• The prisoner is serving a life sentence for the crime.
• During the war, many soldiers were taken as prisoners.

The word 'captive' is used to describe someone who is being held against their will, typically in a broader range of situations such as war, kidnapping, or hostage scenarios. This term emphasizes the lack of freedom and often doesn't specify legal status.

• The soldiers were taken captive during the battle.
• The organization is working to free the captives held by the rebels.

Use 'inmate' when referring to someone serving a sentence in a prison or jail. It specifically denotes confinement within a correctional facility.

• The inmate was transferred to a maximum-security prison.
• She works as a counselor for the inmates in the local jail.