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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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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
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During the public health emergency, E. coli was detected along with high levels of a carcinogenic disinfectant byproduct.
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The study was unable to detect better physical health outcomes.
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In 2016, Dr. Doudna’s lab published a paper demonstrating how Cas13a may be useful to detect sequences of RNA in a virus.
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High levels of lead also were detected at Birney Elementary School in University Heights last month.
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One of those candidates is Allison Lami Sawyer, the 32-year-old co-founder of Rebellion Photonics, which developed new camera technology for detecting gas leaks on oil rigs and refineries.
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WHAT’S NEXT Wednesday’s study detected no safety concerns, clearing the way for Genentech and its parent company Roche to open two large-scale studies that aim to prove if the drug works.
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Two batches of mosquitoes collected in Glenview this week have tested positive for the West Nile virus, marking the first time this year the virus has been detected in the village.
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The Extension recommends using a fast-acting aerosol insecticide containing pyrethrins if fire ants are detected among flood debris, though these insecticides can be toxic to aquatic organisms, so caution is recommended.
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
DETECT Defined for English Language Learners
detect
playDefinition of detect for English Language Learners
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: to discover or notice the presence of (something that is hidden or hard to see, hear, taste, etc.)
DETECT Defined for Kids
detect
playDefinition of detect for Students
detected
;detecting
: to learn that something or someone is or was there detect smoke
detector
\-ˈtek-tər\ nounLearn More about detect
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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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