detect

[ dih-tekt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to discover or catch (a person) in the performance of some act:

   to detect someone cheating.

2. to discover the existence of:

   to detect the odor of gas.

3. to find out the true character or activity of:

   to detect a spy.

4. Telecommunications.
   1. to rectify alternating signal currents in a radio receiver.
   2. to demodulate.

detect

/ dɪˈtɛkt /

verb

1. to perceive or notice

   to detect a note of sarcasm

2. to discover the existence or presence of (esp something likely to elude observation)

   to detect alcohol in the blood

3. to extract information from (an electromagnetic wave)
4. obsolete.
   to reveal or expose (a crime, criminal, etc)

Derived Forms

• deˈtecter, noun
• deˈtectable, adjective

Other Words From

• de·tecta·ble de·tecti·ble adjective
• de·tecta·bili·ty de·tecti·bili·ty noun
• prede·tect verb (used with object)
• unde·tecta·ble adjective
• unde·tecta·bly adverb
• unde·tected adjective
• unde·tecti·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of detect¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of detect¹

C15: from Latin dētectus uncovered, from dētegere to uncover, from de- + tegere to cover

Example Sentences

The Australian state of Victoria has entered a five-day coronavirus lockdown to curb a local outbreak of the coronavirus variant first detected in Britain.

From Washington Post

As the signal faded, some telescopes also detected fluctuations in the light.

From Science News For Students

Now, by detecting the explosions’ infrared light, which penetrates dust better than visible light does, Caltech astronomer Kishalay De and his colleagues have estimated how often these outbursts occur in the Milky Way.

From Science News

There might be many more, Nesbitt said, as only a small sample of all positive coronavirus tests are sequenced to detect variants.

From Washington Post

They mutate and develop new strains, which makes it very difficult to detect them.

From Washington Post

No one who lives in an American city requires a flashlight to detect the presence of immigrants or the challenges they face daily.

From The Daily Beast

That could change, however, if ISIS obtained the knowledge to build hard-to-detect bombs.

From The Daily Beast

Testing methods can now detect HIV within ten days of infection.

From The Daily Beast

The company is already brainstorming what it can detect next.

From The Daily Beast

There is only one approved, working test that can detect whether or not Ebola is present in the blood.

From The Daily Beast

Yet I think if we observe closely we shall detect traces of a spontaneous impulse towards self-adornment.

From Project Gutenberg

Tubercle bacilli are nearly always present, although animal inoculation may be necessary to detect them.

From Project Gutenberg

It is frequently desirable to detect formalin, which is the most common preservative added to cow's milk.

From Project Gutenberg

Fetherston strained his eyes towards the horizon, but declared that he could detect nothing.

From Project Gutenberg

This she had the wit to detect, as well as the incontrovertible fact that her youth and her chances were gone.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• catch
• disclose
• distinguish
• encounter
• expose
• find
• identify
• notice
• observe
• recognize
• reveal
• see
• spot
• uncover

When To Use

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.