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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of detector

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

Example Sentences

JustDone also reiterated that "no AI detector can guarantee 100 percent accuracy."

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

In his letter to Weber, Curtis promised to take a lie detector test after each election.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

“I could spend all night in the water searching,” he says, sweeping his arm back and forth, an imagined metal detector in his hand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

With his invasive species detector duties done, it is time for a new role for Woody.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

The motion detector emitted a beep as I stepped through the front door.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Related Words

• radar