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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• metal detectors
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

metal detector

Cellphones were banned from the ceremony, bags were closely screened and delegates put through a metal detector by a sizable security force.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

Ancient Egyptians understood hardware just like punks understood hardware just like bikers understood hardware just like I, walking through my office metal detector every week, understand hardware.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

Two years earlier, the FAA had begun to require that all carry-on luggage be X-rayed for weapons and passengers be scanned by a metal detector.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

Filip lives in Bergeijk in the south of the Netherlands, just a few miles from the Belgian border and has been a metal detector enthusiast for more than 35 years.

From BBC ● May 25, 2026

“Still carrying the torch for Law, huh?” says Frank, the taller one, as he waves the metal detector wand around us.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas