detector

American  

[dih-tek-ter] / dɪˈtɛk tər /

noun

detectors plural

1. a person or thing that detects.

2. a device for detecting smoke, fire, or some other hazardous condition.

3. a device for detecting the presence of metal, contraband, or other items that might be hidden or concealed.

4. Telecommunications.

   1. a device for detecting electric oscillations or waves.

   2. a device, as a crystal detector or a vacuum tube, that rectifies the alternating current in a radio receiver.

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detector British  

/ dɪˈtɛktə /

noun

1. a person or thing that detects

2. any mechanical sensing device

3. electronics a device used in the detection of radio signals

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• detectors
  plural

Etymology

Origin of detector

1535–45; < Late Latin dētēctor revealer, equivalent to Latin dēteg ( ere ) to uncover, reveal ( see detect) + -tor -tor

Explanation

A detector is a machine that responds to particular substances in a consistent way. Everyone who flies on an airplane must pass through a metal detector, which beeps when it senses metal. A "lie detector" works by measuring pulse and eye movements as a person responds to a series of questions. A radioactivity detector looks for high levels of radioactivity in nuclear power plants. Since the invention of detectors, the idea of more fantastical detectors has filled the human imagination. A love detector: why not?

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

detector detectors

Two years earlier, the FAA had begun to require that all carry-on luggage be X-rayed for weapons and passengers be scanned by a metal detector.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

Since the first direct detection of gravitational waves in September 2015, Glasgow researchers have continued working alongside scientists across the LVK collaboration to improve both detector performance and data analysis techniques.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 2, 2026

There is one metal detector for everyone and one bag screener for carry-on items.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

After three years of work, including with Whispeak's own AI tools, "we now have the best detector of audio deepfakes in the world," he boasted, citing the team's first place in multiple contests.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

His associate, an over-enthusiastic junior scythe named Bello, had already turned on the DNA detector and picked up traces the moment they stepped out of the car.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

ALTER: There are many more deaths from falls than from fires, but smoke detectors are required everywhere.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

The authors believe that additional improvements to the optical design and other parts of the system could eventually make sub-millimeter resolution possible in PLATON-type detectors with volumes larger than 1m3.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026

He said: "We went creeping around the grounds of this military base using ultrasound detectors to try to hear the male cicadas singing, so it did feel a bit James Bond."

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

Undeterred by the flashes in the sky and the rain that began to fall, large crowds gathered just outside the metal detectors as darkness fell.

From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026

The hum of the metal detectors could be heard from the bottom of the steps.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

Related Words

• radar