detect

verb de·tect \ di-ˈtekt , dē- \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of detect

transitive verb

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 : demodulate

intransitive verb

: to work as a detective

—

detectability

play \-ˌtek-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

—

detectable

play \-ˈtek-tə-bəl\ adjective

See detect defined for English-language learners

See detect defined for kids

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 of detect from the Web

The fraud was detected by the resident’s bank and reported at 2:55 p.m. March 30.

— graydon megan, chicagotribune.com, "Elmhurst police blotter: Man leaves suspicious message at Edison School ballfield," 6 Apr. 2018
The dyed cells emit an infrared signal that cannot be seen by the human eye, but is detected by the camera in the goggles worn by the surgeons.

— Fox News, "Surgical goggles spot cancer tissue where human eye won’t, study claims," 5 Apr. 2018
Since the issue of failing foundations was detected in north central Connecticut, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has estimated that as many as 34,000 homes in 36 towns might have failing foundations.

— kathleen mcwilliams, courant.com, "Bill Providing Assistance To Homeowners With Failing Foundations Dies In Committee," 3 Apr. 2018
The driver had received several visual and one audible hands-on warning earlier in the drive and the driver’s hands were not detected on the wheel for six seconds prior to the collision.

— andrew j. hawkins, The Verge, "Tesla says Autopilot was engaged during fatal Model X crash," 31 Mar. 2018
The sudden, if incomplete, contraction of the bubble is sufficient to produce an easily audible sound, while leaving enough bubble behind to be detected by MRIs.

— jeffrey kluger, Time, "Why Does Cracking Your Knuckles Make So Much Noise? Science Finally Has an Answer," 29 Mar. 2018
It's named for Dr. George Papanicolaou, the physician who first showed that cancerous cells of the cervix could be detected by microscopic inspection.

— melissa healy, latimes.com, "Modified Pap tests can show early warning signs of other gynecological cancers," 22 Mar. 2018
The 36-year-old rapper, whose real name is LaRon James, fled the airport after a firearm in his carry-on bag was detected by an X-ray at the security gate, NorthJersey.com reports.

— stephanie petit, PEOPLE.com, "Rapper Juelz Santana Arrested After Reportedly Bringing Loaded Gun to Newark Airport," 12 Mar. 2018
The oversight was detected last week by cleveland.com while reporting on why mayor's courts and violations bureaus in Ohio have bad reputations among advocates for good government.

— peter krouse, cleveland.com, "Solon failed to register its violations bureau for 13 years," 23 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'detect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of detect

Middle English, from Latin detectus, past participle of detegere to uncover, detect, from de- + tegere to cover — more at thatch

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1574

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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detect Synonyms

DETECT Defined for English Language Learners

detect

verb

Definition of detect for English Language Learners

: to discover or notice the presence of (something that is hidden or hard to see, hear, taste, etc.)

DETECT Defined for Kids

detect

verb de·tect \ di-ˈtekt \

Definition of detect for Students

detected; detecting

: to learn that something or someone is or was there

detect smoke

—

detector

\-ˈtek-tər\ noun

Learn More about detect

See words that rhyme with detect Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for detect Spanish Central: Translation of detect Nglish: Translation of detect for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of detect for Arabic speakers

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detect

Definition of detect

detectability

detectable

Examples of detect in a Sentence

Recent Examples of detect from the Web

Origin and Etymology of detect

detect Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Related Words

DETECT Defined for English Language Learners

detect

Definition of detect for English Language Learners

DETECT Defined for Kids

detect

Definition of detect for Students

detector

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