detector

American  

[dih-tek-ter] / dɪˈtɛk tər /

noun

1. a person or thing that detects.

2. a device for detecting smoke, fire, or some other hazardous condition.

3. a device for detecting the presence of metal, contraband, or other items that might be hidden or concealed.

4. Telecommunications.

   1. a device for detecting electric oscillations or waves.

   2. a device, as a crystal detector or a vacuum tube, that rectifies the alternating current in a radio receiver.

---

detector British  

/ dɪˈtɛktə /

noun

1. a person or thing that detects

2. any mechanical sensing device

3. electronics a device used in the detection of radio signals

---

Etymology

Origin of detector

1535–45; < Late Latin dētēctor revealer, equivalent to Latin dēteg ( ere ) to uncover, reveal ( detect ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

In 4Q the company was selected to supply space-based infrared detectors to the majority of prime contractors on the newly awarded U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

To examine these anomalies more closely, scientists built MicroBooNE at Fermilab, a detector designed to capture neutrino interactions in unprecedented detail.

From Science Daily

La Plagne's official website prompts visitors wanting to ski off-piste, also known as backcountry skiing, to make sure they have read the Avalanche Risk Bulletin and to use an avalanche victim detector.

From BBC

Ask potential insurers about discounts for security systems, smoke detectors, energy rating, smart-home technology, paperless billing — or even being a nonsmoker.

From MarketWatch

He didn’t want to test her lie detector powers.

From Literature

Related Words

• radar