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.

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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

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Other Word 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

Brian Jabarian, a University of Chicago economist who conducted a rigorous independent evaluation of A.I. detectors, told me flatly, “This narrative that we shouldn’t use A.I. detection doesn’t seem to hold anymore.”

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

Despite the surge in AI-generated fraud, the insurance industry has attempted to match the technology with its own detection systems.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

As for reliable, timely detection of military diversions, forget it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Rusch believes that Tesla will struggle to deliver autonomous driving at a level that regulators will accept without light detection and ranging — or lidar — technology, which Musk has criticized.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

After being so quiet for so long—the slaves to escape the detection of hunters, and the hunters to escape the detection of their prey—all of them cried out and shrieked with their exertions.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

Related Words

• disclosure