detectorist
noun
de·tec·tor·ist
di-ˈtek-t(ə-)rist 
plural detectorists
chiefly British
: one who uses a portable metal detector as a hobby
The trove was discovered in October near Watlington, 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of London, by 60-year-old James Mather, an amateur treasure-seeker who called the find "every detectorist's dream."—
Alastair Grant
Alastair GrantThe third, known as the Crosby Garrett Helmet, was found in a field in 2010 by a metal detectorist who wants to remain anonymous. It was sold at auction for $3.6 million.—Brad Smithfield
Brad SmithfieldExamples of detectorist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some of the pieces had been found in Bribie Island National Park, officials said, and the metal detectorist had not reported the finds when they were made, violating the law.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
An ordinary spring day quickly became extraordinary after a nature-loving metal detectorist unearthed a cache of ancient treasure.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2025
The metal detectorists, Jacek Ukowski and Katarzyna Herdzik, notified experts at the nearby Museum of the History of Kamień Land.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
Read More | Metal detectorist finds huge coin hoard — at least 1,500 years old — in Romania
In Letca Nouă, Romania, a metal detectorist discovered a hoard of 1,469 ancient Roman silver coins, dating back to the Roman Imperial Period.
—Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detectorist
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Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
An ordinary spring day quickly became extraordinary after a nature-loving metal detectorist unearthed a cache of ancient treasure.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2025
The metal detectorists, Jacek Ukowski and Katarzyna Herdzik, notified experts at the nearby Museum of the History of Kamień Land.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
Read More | Metal detectorist finds huge coin hoard — at least 1,500 years old — in Romania
In Letca Nouă, Romania, a metal detectorist discovered a hoard of 1,469 ancient Roman silver coins, dating back to the Roman Imperial Period.
—Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detectorist
Cite this Entry
“Detectorist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detectorist. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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