detective
a member of the police force or a private investigator whose function is to obtain information and evidence, as of offenses against the law.
Origin of detective
1Words Nearby detective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use detective in a sentence
Then, the two paramedics and two city police officers and a detective walked into the room.
Only then would the detective seek other evidence like eyewitnesses or forensic data to justify arresting and charging the subject.
He’s an epidemiologist, or disease detective, in Canada at the University of Toronto.
Viral scents? Dogs sniff out coronavirus in human sweat | Sharon Oosthoek | August 19, 2020 | Science News For StudentsHis team described how its detective work led to this conclusion in the January 2015 EMBO Molecular Medicine.
How to find the next pandemic virus before it finds us | Lindsey Konkel | April 30, 2020 | Science News For StudentsShe’s a virus detective at the University of California, Davis.
How to find the next pandemic virus before it finds us | Lindsey Konkel | April 30, 2020 | Science News For Students
On Thursday, detective Superintendent McDonald described his account as “harrowing” and compelling.
Victim: I Watched British MPs Rape and Murder Young Boys | Nico Hines | December 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTRobert Morrill, a former gang detective and author of The Mexican Mafia/The Story, said there is little the authorities can do.
The Mexican Mafia Is the Daddy of All Street Gangs | Seth Ferranti | December 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe Glock family feud gets messier with new court documents alleging that gun magnate Gaston had a detective follow his ex-wife.
Back at police headquarters, Chief of Police Michael Floore Sr. ran out of the detective bureau, barking into a walkie talkie.
She had a simple answer to my inquiry about the calls that were never returned—from her or anyone else in the detective bureau.
The door opened and a plain clothes detective entered the office.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeSo did my versatile friend, joyously confident in his powers, start on his glorious career as a private detective.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. Lockedetective Frey came in and saw Duggin lying dead, and he figured he'd go out and do big things.
The detective went downstairs and talked with Mrs. McCarthy a few minutes, and then took his leave.
The Homesteader | Oscar MicheauxThe detective Agnes had retained, called on Baptiste's lawyers and held a lengthy consultation.
The Homesteader | Oscar Micheaux
British Dictionary definitions for detective
/ (dɪˈtɛktɪv) /
a police officer who investigates crimes
(as modifier): a detective story
used in or serving for detection
serving to detect
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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