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

Using rare isotope beams at Michigan State University and highly sensitive gamma ray detectors, the team measured the lifetimes of excited nuclear states with precision on the scale of picoseconds.

From Science Daily

According to Google's SynthID watermark detector, the fake image was generated or edited with a Google AI tool.

From BBC

There was also the sound of a generator, which would require a permit, a check-in table, a metal detector and a temporary wall with branding, Sterling said.

From Los Angeles Times

The detector records detailed patterns created as electrons pass through the transistor structures.

From Science Daily

To detect light outside that range, researchers often turn to pyroelectric detectors.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• radar