detect

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verb de·tect \ di-ˈtekt , dē- \

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

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detectability

play \-ˌtek-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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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 Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness tweeted Wednesday that mosquitoes with the West Nile virus have been detected in Louisville.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "West Nile virus detected in five Louisville zip codes, metro health department says," 23 Aug. 2017
The tumor can’t be reliably detected by pre-operative tests, and may be mistaken for benign uterine fibroids — the most common reason for hysterectomy.

— marie mccullough, Philly.com, "Surgical device that spread cancer is revamped, but safety is questioned," 13 Aug. 2017
Those cameras can see the scene of a shooting the instance ShotSpotter might detect one.

— cameron knight, Cincinnati.com, "Does ShotSpotter reduce gun violence? Researchers don't know," 11 Aug. 2017
Allen Sills, the league's chief medical officer, says better concussion screening can be done from the tents and will be able to diagnose and detect injuries on the sideline.

— scooby axson, SI.com, "NFL to Start Using Medical Evaluation Tents on Sidelines," 3 Aug. 2017
The D.O.E. also supplies radiation-detection equipment to enable other countries to detect bomb material making its way across national borders.

— michael lewis, The Hive, "Why the Scariest Nuclear Threat May Be Coming from Inside the White House," 2 Aug. 2017
Advancements like cannabis treatment and concussion-detecting goggles, along with concussion clinics, are facilitating quicker detection, treatment and return to sports.

— samantha j. gross, miamiherald, "Cannabis and goggles — the latest in concussion treatments and research," 23 July 2017
If, for example, a mammogram falsely detects a lesion — a not infrequent occurrence — the false-positive result may cause not only serious emotional distress but also lead to a surgical biopsy, which carries its own risks.

— jane e. brody, idahostatesman, "As we age, is that cancer screening needed?," 23 July 2017
Martel and Pasmans detected the fungus in samples of salamanders that other researchers had collected in Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan—including a museum specimen more than 150 years old—but not in salamanders from other parts of the world.

— erik stokstad, Science | AAAS, "A fungus is attacking Europe’s most beloved salamander. It could wreak havoc if it gets to North America," 19 July 2017

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

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First Known Use: 1574

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detect Synonyms

Synonyms

ascertain, descry, find, determine, dig out, dig up, discover, dredge (up), ferret (out), find out, get, hit (on or upon), hunt (down or up), learn, locate, nose out, root (out), rout (out), rummage, run down, scare up, scout (up), track (down), turn up

Antonyms

miss, overlook, pass over

Related Words

espy, sight, spot; look for, search (for or out), seek

Near Antonyms

lose, mislay, misplace, misset

DETECT Defined for English Language Learners

detect

play

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

play

verb de·tect \ di-ˈtekt \

Definition of detect for Students

detected; detecting

:to learn that something or someone is or was there

detect smoke

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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

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Examples of detect in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of detect

detect Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

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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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