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
Bailey further cited his conversations with leaders from other U.S. cities and other reports questioning the effectiveness of gunshot detectors.
—
Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Mar. 2024
This lets the detectors quickly determine if a metal item is a cell phone or a gun.
—Oscar Gonzalez / Gizmodo, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
Specialists will verify gunshot detector readings by using cameras in the area or confirming with dispatch that a related call was placed.
—The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
The detector can be controlled with an app and has an adjustable alarm.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 26 Mar. 2024
The robot ball’s LED matrix display is programmable to a variety of icons of your kiddo’s choice, such as a heart or lightning bolt, and is packed with customizable sensors, like infrared detectors, that tell the robot when something is nearby.
—Julie Evans, Parents, 12 Mar. 2024
Soldiers are instructed to not use their phones in the training area, and observers, known as OCs, carry handheld detectors trying to sniff out any contraband.
—Alex Horton, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024
When the watch is picked up or moved, a small motion detector will cause the hands to automatically jump to the current hour and minute, and carry on tracking time as usual.
—Carol Besler, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
The store products in his possession were catalogued as evidence and deposited into Home Depot carts, to be returned to inventory: Tide detergent, Bounty paper towels, a space heater, a stud detector.
—Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024
Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Mar. 2024
This lets the detectors quickly determine if a metal item is a cell phone or a gun.
—Oscar Gonzalez / Gizmodo, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
Specialists will verify gunshot detector readings by using cameras in the area or confirming with dispatch that a related call was placed.
—The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
The detector can be controlled with an app and has an adjustable alarm.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 26 Mar. 2024
The robot ball’s LED matrix display is programmable to a variety of icons of your kiddo’s choice, such as a heart or lightning bolt, and is packed with customizable sensors, like infrared detectors, that tell the robot when something is nearby.
—Julie Evans, Parents, 12 Mar. 2024
Soldiers are instructed to not use their phones in the training area, and observers, known as OCs, carry handheld detectors trying to sniff out any contraband.
—Alex Horton, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024
When the watch is picked up or moved, a small motion detector will cause the hands to automatically jump to the current hour and minute, and carry on tracking time as usual.
—Carol Besler, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
The store products in his possession were catalogued as evidence and deposited into Home Depot carts, to be returned to inventory: Tide detergent, Bounty paper towels, a space heater, a stud detector.
—Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detector.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 19 Apr. 2024.
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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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