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
- detectability noun
- detectable adjective
- detecter noun
- detectibility noun
- detectible adjective
- predetect verb (used with object)
- undetectable adjective
- undetectably adverb
- undetected adjective
- undetectible adjective
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”; thatch
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.
Plus, we can even detect the smallest asteroids before they hit Earth!
From Space Scoop
European plane-maker Airbus said Monday it had detected a "quality issue" affecting metal panels on its popular A320 passenger jet but the problem was "contained".
From Barron's
The department said "the two suspect cases were detected as a result of surveillance at slaughter" and added that both "cases displayed no clinical signs prior to slaughter".
From BBC
On 12 November veterinary officials culled all the livestock after a case of sheep and goat pox was detected.
From BBC
Their discovery suggested the presence of an entirely new population of distant celestial sources that the Hubble Space Telescope had not been able to detect.
From Science Daily
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.
