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Synonyms

detect

American

[dih-tekt] / dɪˈtɛkt /

verb (used with object)

to discover or catch (a person) in the performance of some act.

to detect someone cheating.
to discover the existence of.

to detect the odor of gas.
to find out the true character or activity of.

to detect a spy.
Telecommunications.
1. to rectify alternating signal currents in a radio receiver.
2. to demodulate.

detect British

/ dɪˈtɛkt /

verb

to perceive or notice

to detect a note of sarcasm
to discover the existence or presence of (esp something likely to elude observation)

to detect alcohol in the blood
to extract information from (an electromagnetic wave)
obsolete to reveal or expose (a crime, criminal, etc)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

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.

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Vocabulary lists containing detect

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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.

And now, existing X-ray machines would be modified to detect explosives.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2026

Electric grids use precisely synchronized clocks to detect disturbances hundreds of times each second before they cascade into blackouts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 5, 2026

MSG's owners have courted controversy by aggressively using facial recognition technology to detect and exclude not only lawyers who have sued the company -- but all of their colleagues too.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

These are cases in which life exists, or once existed, but scientists fail to detect it.

From Science Daily • Jun. 30, 2026

How could we hope to detect a black hole, as by its very definition it does not emit any light?

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023