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
Lulham says those tricks are likely to be detected by anti-spoofing technology, which includes liveness checks to see if a real person is in front of the camera.
—
Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
One of its defining strengths is its ability to distinguish real warheads from decoys – a crucial function within the MDA’s wider network of interconnected sensors that collectively detect, track, and support the interception of incoming ballistic threats.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Nov. 2025
Historically, major earthquakes in this region have led to catastrophic consequences, including devastating tsunamis, prompting global concern each time new activity is detected.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
Scientists have detected a higher-than-usual ratio of carbon dioxide to water compared with typical solar system comets, as well as gas unusually rich in nickel relative to iron.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detect
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Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
One of its defining strengths is its ability to distinguish real warheads from decoys – a crucial function within the MDA’s wider network of interconnected sensors that collectively detect, track, and support the interception of incoming ballistic threats.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Nov. 2025
Historically, major earthquakes in this region have led to catastrophic consequences, including devastating tsunamis, prompting global concern each time new activity is detected.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
Scientists have detected a higher-than-usual ratio of carbon dioxide to water compared with typical solar system comets, as well as gas unusually rich in nickel relative to iron.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 28 Nov. 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 3 Dec. 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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