metal detector

American  

noun

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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Example Sentences

Sometimes he’s just out there for fun, but often he’s wielding his submersible Excalibur II metal detector to salvage someone’s destination wedding.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Passing through the building’s security, one woman set off a metal detector with her hip, another with her knees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 1, 2025

“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

Players take on the role of Morgan, a young girl who uses her late grandfather's metal detector to find lost items and return them to residents on a small island.

From BBC • Aug. 5, 2025

Inside the courtroom door they had placed a large metal detector, on the other side of which was an enormous German shepherd held back by a police officer.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson