detect
Americanverb (used with object)
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to discover or catch (a person) in the performance of some act.
to detect someone cheating.
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to discover the existence of.
to detect the odor of gas.
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to find out the true character or activity of.
to detect a spy.
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Telecommunications.
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to rectify alternating signal currents in a radio receiver.
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to demodulate.
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verb
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to perceive or notice
to detect a note of sarcasm
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to discover the existence or presence of (esp something likely to elude observation)
to detect alcohol in the blood
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to extract information from (an electromagnetic wave)
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obsolete to reveal or expose (a crime, criminal, etc)
Usage
What are other ways to say detect?
To detect is to discover something hidden or unknown. When should you use detect over learn, discover, or ascertain? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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detectabilitynoun
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detecternoun
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detectibilitynoun
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predetectverb (used with object)
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detectableadjective
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detectibleadjective
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undetectableadjective
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undetectedadjective
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undetectibleadjective
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undetectablyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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detectsimple
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detectssimple
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have detectedperfect
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has detectedperfect
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am detectingprogressive
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are detectingprogressive
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is detectingprogressive
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have been detectingperfect progressive
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has been detectingperfect progressive
Past
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detectedsimple
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had detectedperfect
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was detectingprogressive
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were detectingprogressive
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had been detectingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of detect
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin dētēctus “discovered,” past participle of dētegere “to uncover, discover,” from dē- de- + tegere “to cover”; see also thatch
Explanation
The verb detect means to discover or observe the existence of something. If you walk into your house and detect the odor of burnt food, you can deduce from the evidence that you will be going out to dinner tonight! The verb detect comes from the Latin word detegere, which literally means "to uncover" — or more figuratively, to discover. You may detect the presence of a new dog in your house if you note a water bowl, chew toys, and grooming tools. Of course, the large woofing beast that greeted you at the door with a wagging tail might be a big clue as well.
Vocabulary lists containing detect
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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List 9
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It also means a banned user can create a new account - although FabSwingers says it can detect this, without explaining how it does so.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
The AI-powered cams have been installed on the front of parking enforcement vehicles to automatically detect when a car is illegally parked or stopped in a bike lane.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
The 61-year-old, a previous president of the UN General Assembly, has suggested creating an "early warning" system to detect and flag signs of impending conflict.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
This allows autonomous vehicles to detect objects in their path and respond quickly.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026
Though they couldn’t detect Maggie’s body moving, the doctors watched her face.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
These measurements can reflect how the nervous system detects and processes painful signals.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 2026
The Swift observatory detects some of the most powerful explosions in the Universe - but is at risk of crashing back to Earth in the coming months.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026
The team at JPMorgan detects telltale signs of caution and reduced leverage in options and margin trading.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 2026
If a retailer’s algorithm detects that you have been browsing a product without buying, it may send you a coupon.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026
He detects patterns: one track is waffled, another has fine lines, and another is shaped like the pointed toe of a boot.
From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario
The Park Service had it tested and said no asbestos was detected.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
Those observations detected water vapor and methane, adding further evidence that the object was a planet and revealing more details about its atmosphere.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026
The Duazon operation follows the interception of six cargo boxes at Roberts International Airport last month after security officers detected irregularities during screening.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Like HSBC, though, Abouhossein thinks many of the positive trends detected in the U.S. are applicable in Europe too.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
He seemed to be dodging my gaze, and I detected a chill in his words.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
I’ve thought about whether AI could eventually play a role of a central banker, detecting bubbles or risk buildup that humans might miss.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
The EU said AliExpress' "overestimated the effectiveness of its system in detecting and removing illegal products".
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
Kalshi, the online prediction marketplace, referred Santos to the Department of Justice after detecting suspicious trades made by him ahead of Trump’s Feb. 24 speech.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
"This isn't like detecting a needle in a haystack. It's like detecting a microscopic portion of a needle in a haystack," said Steven Manderach, executive director of the Association of Food and Drug Officials.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
The turning point came in 1940, when the Coast Guard started detecting new code signals coming from unlicensed wildcat stations like the ones the rumrunners had used.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
