detect
Americanverb (used with object)
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detects,
present (3rd person singular)
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detected,
past participle, past
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detecting
present participle
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to discover or catch (a person) in the performance of some act.
to detect someone cheating.
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to discover the existence of.
to detect the odor of gas.
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to find out the true character or activity of.
to detect a spy.
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Telecommunications.
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to rectify alternating signal currents in a radio receiver.
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to demodulate.
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verb
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to perceive or notice
to detect a note of sarcasm
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to discover the existence or presence of (esp something likely to elude observation)
to detect alcohol in the blood
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to extract information from (an electromagnetic wave)
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obsolete to reveal or expose (a crime, criminal, etc)
Usage
What are other ways to say detect?
To detect is to discover something hidden or unknown. When should you use detect over learn, discover, or ascertain? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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detectabilitynoun
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detecternoun
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detectibilitynoun
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predetectverb (used with object)
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detectableadjective
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detectibleadjective
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undetectableadjective
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undetectedadjective
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undetectibleadjective
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undetectablyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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detectsimple
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detectssimple
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have detectedperfect
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has detectedperfect
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am detectingprogressive
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are detectingprogressive
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is detectingprogressive
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have been detectingperfect progressive
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has been detectingperfect progressive
Past
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detectedsimple
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had detectedperfect
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was detectingprogressive
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were detectingprogressive
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had been detectingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of detect
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin dētēctus “discovered,” past participle of dētegere “to uncover, discover,” from dē- de- + tegere “to cover”; see also thatch
Explanation
The verb detect means to discover or observe the existence of something. If you walk into your house and detect the odor of burnt food, you can deduce from the evidence that you will be going out to dinner tonight! The verb detect comes from the Latin word detegere, which literally means "to uncover" — or more figuratively, to discover. You may detect the presence of a new dog in your house if you note a water bowl, chew toys, and grooming tools. Of course, the large woofing beast that greeted you at the door with a wagging tail might be a big clue as well.
Vocabulary lists containing detect
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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List 9
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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.
See Examples For:
The new gadget can detect, for example, if keys fall behind a sofa.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
OTel, an open model that AT&T customized using telecom-specific data, supports AI agents that can detect the root cause of network issues, according to Markus.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
Peatland fires can be hard to detect and hard to put out.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
Deezer, a French streamer, was the first to detect, tag and exclude AI-generated music from algorithmic recommendations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
The Professor has a strongly humorous side, and I could from old knowledge detect a trace of its origin in his answer:—
From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
Rather than reacting only to familiar properties such as color or intensity, it detects subtle quantum distinctions in the incoming light.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 2026
When the camera detects a violation, it generates an evidence package, consisting of the date, time and location, as well as still images.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Despite the signs of AI fatigue, Wood detects no signs of flagging commitment from the hyperscalers.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026
If the robot detects a problem, such as a knee joint that stops responding, it will try to recover its balance; if it can’t, he said, it will collapse onto itself like an imploding building.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026
It also detects that the terrain will be uneven, rocky.
From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga
The black-and-white striped mosquitoes were first detected in 2013 in California, likely arriving via human travel and cargo transport.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
Authorities have not reported any casualties, but said tsunami waves between 19 and 30 centimetres have been detected.
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
While a tsunami warning was initially issued - leading some 2,000 people to self-evacuate - it was lifted around three hours after the initial jolt, when no significant sea level rise was detected.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
The UN's International Maritime Organization reported that an oil slick was detected after that incident.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
If his mental subcontractor detected a level of interest in what you had just said, it radioed a signal to the mother ship, which then wheeled around with the most intense focus.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
Earlier Pixel Watch versions could call an ambulance after detecting signs of cardiac trouble.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
In Germany, Dobrindt in June opened a new Joint Center for Countering Hybrid Threats in Berlin, aiming to centralize work detecting and combating espionage, sabotage, disinformation and state-sponsored terrorism, among other dangers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
The investigators also identified additional partner proteins involved in folding and transporting proinsulin, as well as detecting and managing misfolded versions.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026
I’ve thought about whether AI could eventually play a role of a central banker, detecting bubbles or risk buildup that humans might miss.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
Instead of allowing each officer to rely on his or her own limited experience and biases in detecting suspicious behavior, a drug-courier profile affords every officer the advantage of the agency’s collective experience and expertise.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
