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 samples are then tested in a laboratory to detect the presence of genetic material from Enterococci — bacteria that, like E. coli, live in the intestines of warm-blooded animals such as humans.
—
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The verification process enables users to access databases, while their database activities are continuously monitored to detect any unauthorized behavior.
—David Schiffer, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Sáez said that the Guardamar City Council has implemented a preventive measure to detect possible specimens swept away by ocean currents.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The last time observatories detected an official satellite was in 2003, when Margaret was found using the Hubble telescope.
—Jorge Garay, Wired News, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detect
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Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The verification process enables users to access databases, while their database activities are continuously monitored to detect any unauthorized behavior.
—David Schiffer, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Sáez said that the Guardamar City Council has implemented a preventive measure to detect possible specimens swept away by ocean currents.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The last time observatories detected an official satellite was in 2003, when Margaret was found using the Hubble telescope.
—Jorge Garay, Wired News, 22 Aug. 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 28 Aug. 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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