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

Tuesday’s discussion was the most recent regarding a weapons detection program that launched in March 2022, when Broward Public Schools started doing random screenings with handheld metal detectors in all schools. —Jimena Tavel, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2024

Arthur’s the equivalent of a human metal detector and becomes part of 1980s raucous band of grave robbers. —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024

Having metal detectors in schools received support from 43% of Republican-leaning teachers, compared to 27% of Democratic-leaning teachers. —Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 12 Apr. 2024

Typically, regular members of the press corps — a group of reporters assigned to a beat or event — don’t need to pass through a metal detector to enter the building, and are free to find a seat in the press area and use their laptops. —Terence McGinley, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024

When entering the swap meet, customers pass through a metal detector and have their bags inspected. —Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024

Unlike a metal detector, Evolv Express is not looking for metal but rather for weapons and parts of weapons only. —Marc Hayot, arkansasonline.com, 8 Mar. 2024

But even the smaller bags that were allowed went through a metal detector. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 16 Feb. 2024

Republican and Republican-leaning teachers were significantly more likely than their left-leaning counterparts to support putting armed officers (69%) or metal detectors (43%) in schools. —USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above