detector

noun

de·​tec·​tor di-ˈtek-tər 

: one that detects: such as

a

: a device for detecting the presence of electromagnetic waves or of radioactivity

b

: a rectifier of high-frequency current used especially for extracting the intelligence from a radio signal

Synonyms

• sensor

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

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention stresses the importance of installing a working CO detector listed by Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) in boats to prevent poisoning. —Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025

For homes with propane or natural gas appliances, the state fire marshal’s office advised having gas detectors installed. —Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 30 July 2025

Officials said there was no gas detector inside the camper at the time of the explosion, according to WCVB-TV and WFXT. —Abigail Adams, People.com, 29 July 2025

In 2015, its twin detectors based in Livingston, Louisiana, and Hanford, Washington, made the first ever detection of gravitational waves. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing detector

• lie detector
• metal detector
• radar detector
• smoke detector

Rhymes for detector

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

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 

: one that detects

especially : a device for detecting the presence of electromagnetic waves or of radioactivity