detected; detecting; detects
1
: to discover the true character of
detecting drug smugglers
2
: to discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
detect alcohol in the blood
Do I detect a note of sarcasm in your voice?
3
: to work as a detective
Synonyms
Examples of detect in a Sentence
The test is used to detect the presence of alcohol in the blood.
This type of cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages.
Recent Examples on the Web
But this week, Raw Farm, a large supplier of raw milk products in Fresno, Calif., recalled raw milk and cream after bird flu was detected in retail samples.
—
Dani Blum, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2024
Officials said the aim is to quickly identify which herds are affected by Type A H5N1, a strain that was detected for the first time in U.S. dairy cows in March.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
In yet another scenario, a scientific abstract that’s detected as AI may require revisions from the author before publication.
—Jonathan Gillham, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Some organizations have a protective intelligence group that uses digital tools such as machine learning or artificial intelligence to comb through online comments to detect threats not only on social media platforms such as X but also on the dark web, says Komendat.
—Adam Geller, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detect 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dani Blum, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2024
Officials said the aim is to quickly identify which herds are affected by Type A H5N1, a strain that was detected for the first time in U.S. dairy cows in March.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
In yet another scenario, a scientific abstract that’s detected as AI may require revisions from the author before publication.
—Jonathan Gillham, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Some organizations have a protective intelligence group that uses digital tools such as machine learning or artificial intelligence to comb through online comments to detect threats not only on social media platforms such as X but also on the dark web, says Komendat.
—Adam Geller, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detect
Dictionary Entries Near detect
Cite this Entry
“Detect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detect. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detect
verb
de·tect
di-ˈtekt 
: to discover the nature, existence, presence, or fact of
detect the approach of an airplane
detection
noun
-ˈtek-shən
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share