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
Luban traveled east across the Arabian Sea and was also detected off the western coast of the Indian state of Goa.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 June 2026
French authorities said unusual betting patterns were detected around a yellow card Wahi received in a Ligue 1 match while playing for Nice last month.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 June 2026
By detecting these gamma rays, astronomers can trace the lingering remnants of ancient supernovae long after the original stars have vanished.
—Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 19 June 2026
The nearest air quality monitor to the fires indicates that the worst pollution was detected on June 17 and has fluctuated in the following days depending on wind direction, weather and emergency workers’ efforts to contain the blazes.
—Allison Beck
june 19, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for detect
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Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 June 2026
French authorities said unusual betting patterns were detected around a yellow card Wahi received in a Ligue 1 match while playing for Nice last month.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 June 2026
By detecting these gamma rays, astronomers can trace the lingering remnants of ancient supernovae long after the original stars have vanished.
—Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 19 June 2026
The nearest air quality monitor to the fires indicates that the worst pollution was detected on June 17 and has fluctuated in the following days depending on wind direction, weather and emergency workers’ efforts to contain the blazes.
—Allison Beck
june 19, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for detect
Cite this Entry
“Detect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detect. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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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