detect
verb (used with object)
to discover or catch (a person) in the performance of some act.
have detected
-
present perfectof detect.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Commercial satellite companies, which provide the government with services, have detected Chinese activities and have alerted us. Otherwise, we’d be clueless about a lot of what’s going on.”
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
“This year, we have detected 38 positive mosquito samples, a significant increase in activity compared to recent years.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
Scientists have detected the highly contagious H5 bird flu strain in a second Australian state, the nation's agriculture minister said on Wednesday.
From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026
Earlier studies had suggested GLP-1 might have anti-inflammatory properties, but this marks the first time scientists have detected the hormone directly in the joint fluid of arthritis patients.
From Science Daily ● May 22, 2026
Harry had no idea what Dumbledore meant; this patch of dark bank was exactly like every other bit as far as he could tell, but Dumbledore seemed to have detected something special about it.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
