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detector
noun
de·tec·tor
di-ˈtek-tər
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
Researchers debuted an 88 percent accurate hate-speech detector and a superior sarcasm detector and may be able to send messages back in time.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
A smoke detector in the apartment where the fire started alerted a resident, who called 911, Michel said.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2025
Air and road travel halted; schools shut down Officials in affected states in the South cautioned people to stay off the roads, keep faucets dripping to prevent pipes from freezing, check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and refrain from using cooking stoves to heat homes.
—Karina Tsui, CNN, 21 Jan. 2025
The large majority of drivers have E-ZPass transponders on their windshields, so the MTA knows immediately who’s been crossing into the zone since the detectors and cameras were activated two weeks ago.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for detector
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Word History
First Known Use
1541, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing detector
Dictionary Entries Near detector
Cite this Entry
“Detector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detector. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on detector
Nglish: Translation of detector for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about detector
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