de·tec·tive
di-ˈtek-tiv 
1
: fitted for or used in detecting something
had perfected his detective sensibilities
2
: of or relating to detectives or their work
a detective novel
: one employed or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible
a police detective
hired a private detective
Examples of detective in a Sentence
Adjective
We had to do some detective work to find out who used to own the property.
He enjoys reading detective novels.
Noun
She is a detective on the police force.
Detective Sgt. Lee is working on the case.
She hired a detective to follow her husband.
Recent Examples on the Web
Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
It has been published by other news outlets, including the Associated Press in 2016, as part of their coverage of the detective work.
—Laurie Kellman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Mike Darnay, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
After investigating the shooting, Boston Police detectives were able to obtain a warrant for the suspect out of Suffolk County Juvenile Court for several gun charges and armed assault to murder.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detective
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.
Adjective
King allegedly backed his vehicle at slow speed into the detective vehicle’s bumper.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
It has been published by other news outlets, including the Associated Press in 2016, as part of their coverage of the detective work.
—Laurie Kellman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
Police detectives are investigating two shootings that happened a short time apart in two Pittsburgh neighborhoods located not far from one another.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
After investigating the shooting, Boston Police detectives were able to obtain a warrant for the suspect out of Suffolk County Juvenile Court for several gun charges and armed assault to murder.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detective
Cite this Entry
“Detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detective. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detective
1 of 2 adjective
de·tec·tive
di-ˈtek-tiv
: of or relating to detectives or their work
a detective story
detective
2 of 2 noun
: a person whose business is solving crimes and catching criminals or gathering information that is not easy to get
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
