detector

noun

de·​tec·​tor di-ˈtek-tər 

: one that detects: such as

a

: a device for detecting the presence of electromagnetic waves or of radioactivity

b

: a rectifier of high-frequency current used especially for extracting the intelligence from a radio signal

Synonyms

• sensor

Examples of detector in a Sentence

using metal detectors to improve safety at airports

a motion detector to thwart burglaries

Recent Examples on the Web

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will train more dog teams and deploy chemical detection tools at high-risk ports, adding to its 80 existing detector dog teams nationwide. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Keep smoke and carbon monoxide detectors up to code and in good working condition. —Ryan Barone, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Besides improved lighting, the state attorney general suggested Michiganders buy a motion detector or a porch camera to better track their incoming deliveries. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 6 Dec. 2024

The researchers aren’t sure whether any automakers use the object detectors tested in their paper. —Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing detector

• lie detector
• metal detector
• radar detector
• smoke detector

Kids Definition

detector

noun

de·​tec·​tor di-ˈtek-tər 

1

: one that detects or warns

a smoke detector

2

: a device in a radio receiver for changing the high-frequency current of radio waves into current that can vibrate a loudspeaker to reproduce the original sound

Medical Definition

detector

noun

de·​tec·​tor di-ˈtek-tər 

: one that detects

especially : a device for detecting the presence of electromagnetic waves or of radioactivity