metal detector

noun

plural metal detectors

: a device that detects the presence of hidden metal: such as

a

: a security device that scans individuals for dangerous objects (such as weapons)

I boarded the plane armed with several frying thermometers, which set off the metal detector …

—Jeffrey Steingarten

Once inside the theater, the crowd had to pass through an airport-style metal detector as a security precaution.

—Richard Zoglin

b

: a handheld apparatus that uses electrical induction (see induction sense 4c) to detect the presence of metallic objects (such as coins or jewelry) buried a short distance underground

A local man using a metal detector stumbled upon the site last March. He found two copper brooches, or pins, measuring four inches across.

—Time for Kids

Examples of metal detector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dive deeper: Want more fuel to buy that metal detector? —Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 12 Mar. 2025

Seven people were taken into custody by court officers, who also recovered two sharp objects, which somehow bypassed the courthouse’s security measures, which includes a metal detector and X-ray scanner. —Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025

Fanjoy / Bloomberg via Getty Images With the help of magnets, metal detectors and magnifying lenses, investigators search for even the smallest pieces of evidence, such as fragments of molten machinery parts, match heads, glass and remnants of fireworks. —Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2025

The Chinese company is now offering a new version of the li'l remote-control sub, that comes complete with a joystick remote, metal detector and treasure-collecting net. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for metal detector

• photodetector
• bisector
• collector
• connector
• corrector
• defector
• deflector
• director
• dissector
• effector
• ejector
• elector