detected; detecting; detects
1
: to discover the true character of
detecting drug smugglers
2
: to discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
detect alcohol in the blood
Do I detect a note of sarcasm in your voice?
3
: to work as a detective
Examples of detect in a Sentence
The test is used to detect the presence of alcohol in the blood.
This type of cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages.
Recent Examples on the Web
The company also says its tech can detect people and public figures as part of its measures to prevent deepfakes.
—
Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Unlocking quantum gravity Gravitational waves, which are ripples in the fabric of space-time first predicted by Einstein, are typically detected at low frequencies by observatories like LIGO and Virgo, which listen for signals from events such as black hole collisions.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
From this distance, Swift detected the faint ultraviolet glow of hydroxyl (OH), the product of water molecules broken apart by sunlight, the study reports.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025
CT scans are often used to get detailed internal images to detect injuries, tumors or other abnormalities, according to Cleveland Clinic.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detect
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Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Unlocking quantum gravity Gravitational waves, which are ripples in the fabric of space-time first predicted by Einstein, are typically detected at low frequencies by observatories like LIGO and Virgo, which listen for signals from events such as black hole collisions.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
From this distance, Swift detected the faint ultraviolet glow of hydroxyl (OH), the product of water molecules broken apart by sunlight, the study reports.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025
CT scans are often used to get detailed internal images to detect injuries, tumors or other abnormalities, according to Cleveland Clinic.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detect
Cite this Entry
“Detect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detect. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detect
verb
de·tect
di-ˈtekt 
: to discover the nature, existence, presence, or fact of
detect the approach of an airplane
detection
noun
-ˈtek-shən
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