detection

American  

[dih-tek-shuhn] / dɪˈtɛk ʃən /

noun

1. the act of detecting.

2. the fact of being detected.

3. discovery, as of error or crime.

   chance detection of smuggling.

4. Telecommunications.

   1. rectification of alternating signal currents in a radio receiver.

   2. Also called demodulation.  the conversion of an alternating, modulated carrier wave or current into a direct, pulsating current equivalent to the transmitted information-bearing signal.

---

detection British  

/ dɪˈtɛkʃən /

noun

1. the act of discovering or the fact of being discovered

   detection of crime

2. the act or process of extracting information, esp at audio or video frequencies, from an electromagnetic wave See also demodulation

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• predetection
  noun

Etymology

Origin of detection

1425–75; late Middle English < Late Latin dētēctiōn- (stem of dētēctiō ), equivalent to Latin dētēct ( us ) ( see detect) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Detection is the act of noticing or discovering something. At the airport, you might see German Shepherds trained in the detection of drug smuggling or explosives in luggage. Detection, detect, detective, detector — all are about noticing and discovering. A detective looks for clues that lead to the detection of the person who committed a crime. A metal detector is a machine created for the detection of coins people have left behind on the beach. Some teachers seem to have a third eye they use primarily for the detection of kids passing notes, or checking their cell phones during class.

Example Sentences

Emily Capodilupo, senior vice president of research at Whoop, says its sleep algorithms have been validated against polysomnography, and peer-reviewed studies found its sleep detection reliable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

"He's in a different position than most people to flee and avoid detection by law enforcement," he said.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

“There has been no detection of MMA in the community. Air monitoring continues to be performed in the immediate area for further surveillance until the cleanup is concluded,” the agency said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

"We have a confirmed positive detection of New World screwworm in a three-week-old calf," US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a briefing.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

As he described it, his ink “would elude the generally known means of detection, and yet could be rendered visible by a suitable counterpart.”

From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen

Related Words

• disclosure