detect
Americanverb (used with object)
-
detects,
present (3rd person singular)
-
detected,
past participle, past
-
detecting
present participle
-
to discover or catch (a person) in the performance of some act.
to detect someone cheating.
-
to discover the existence of.
to detect the odor of gas.
-
to find out the true character or activity of.
to detect a spy.
-
Telecommunications.
-
to rectify alternating signal currents in a radio receiver.
-
to demodulate.
-
verb
-
to perceive or notice
to detect a note of sarcasm
-
to discover the existence or presence of (esp something likely to elude observation)
to detect alcohol in the blood
-
to extract information from (an electromagnetic wave)
-
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
-
detectabilitynoun
-
detecternoun
-
detectibilitynoun
-
predetectverb (used with object)
-
detectableadjective
-
detectibleadjective
-
undetectableadjective
-
undetectedadjective
-
undetectibleadjective
-
undetectablyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
detectsimple
-
detectssimple
-
have detectedperfect
-
has detectedperfect
-
am detectingprogressive
-
are detectingprogressive
-
is detectingprogressive
-
have been detectingperfect progressive
-
has been detectingperfect progressive
Past
-
detectedsimple
-
had detectedperfect
-
was detectingprogressive
-
were detectingprogressive
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
NAEP Test Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 9
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
One option is Hawaii’s small but promising ocean-tech industry, which includes firms that repair cargo ships, make sensors to detect floods, breed commercial shellfish or make livestock supplements from seaweed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
The maker of ChatGPT said Wednesday that it was previewing new technology to some customers that let it detect patterns and safety risks across multiple interactions with its models.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
To detect flare-ups more effectively, firefighters were using drones equipped with heat-sensing detectors, she said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
Drones fitted with heat-sensing equipment continue to be used to detect hotspots in areas of peaty ground.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
In further tests, Bell and Tainter were able to detect a lead bullet up to five inches away from the coils.
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
It will also institute a “proactive lockout” that suspends access when the system detects suspicious behavior.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
This type of scanning detects changes in blood flow associated with brain activity, allowing researchers to observe which areas and networks are more or less active.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026
When the camera detects a violation, it generates an evidence package, consisting of the date, time and location, as well as still images.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Despite the signs of AI fatigue, Wood detects no signs of flagging commitment from the hyperscalers.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026
Her nose is always slightly elevated, as if she detects a foul smell.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
The dashboard also aggregates forecasts that put El Nino on course to peak at a 3.9C anomaly this November -- well above the 3C anomaly detected in the 2015 El Nino.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
The fire did prompt two shelter-in-place orders when the fire reached an ammonia line, but Los Angeles Fire Department officials and Lineage say no ammonia was detected.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
“But I think he detected that I was ready for what he thought was the best way to help me to become better and stronger mentally.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
The Saguaro, however, produced weak X-ray emission that was detected by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026
For example, detected hard objects send up both a strong echo and a dark image.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
So would accelerating the process of detecting and removing old munitions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
"It's detecting fraud if you change the price of something. It's detecting a counterfeit item for a second hand pair of Zara jeans."
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
"We are significantly strengthening our ability to respond to hostile drones," German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said at the opening of the centre, which will focus on detecting and identifying unmanned aerial vehicles.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
Conventional methods for detecting chirality often measure extremely small differences in how molecules absorb light.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026
However, one can increase one’s chances of detecting a decay by observing a large amount of matter containing a very large number of protons.
From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking
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.
