metal detector

American  

noun

metal detectors plural

1. an electronic device for detecting the presence of metal objects, as one used as a portable sweeping unit or one emplaced in an archway at an airport terminal to detect concealed weapons, explosives, etc.

---

metal detector British  

noun

1. a device that gives an audible or visual signal when its search head comes close to a metallic object embedded in food, buried in the ground, etc

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• metal detectors
  plural

Example Sentences

Manguillier found his niche in the island economy in 1993 when a French friend brought him a Fisher metal detector, which operates both on land and in the water.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

“He’s got a metal detector or something...no wait, it’s a golf club!” he exclaimed over the phone.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2025

On some days, Blanchard will nip over to a local park with a metal detector in hopes of finding lost gold jewelry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 13, 2025

To get into the room, I showed my driver’s license to security guards outside, passed through a metal detector, and took the elevator up to the 12th floor.

From Slate • Oct. 10, 2025

She passed through the metal detector without a sound, but the cop on the other side put a hand up.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro