detect

verb

de·​tect di-ˈtekt 

dē-

detected; detecting; detects

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

di-ˌtek-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

dē-

noun

detectable

di-ˈtek-tə-bəl 

dē-

adjective

Synonyms of detect

• find
• learn
• locate
• discover
• get

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

Weak to light shaking was detected, and residents in a number of cities - such as Northridge, Stevenson Ranch, Frazier Park and Simi Valley - reported feeling the tremor, according to the USGS DYFI report. —Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Dec. 2025

Feliciano's team decided to detain the man after his GPS tracker detected tampering. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025

State troopers said the Detroit Regional Communication Center received alerts of a rollover crash and a shot spotter detecting 10 shots fired on the freeway. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025

Why is this attack so hard to detect? —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for detect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• direct
• dissect
• effect
• eject

Kids Definition

detect

verb

de·​tect di-ˈtekt 

: to discover the nature, existence, presence, or fact of

detect the approach of an airplane

detectable

-ˈtek-tə-bəl 

adjective

detection

-ˈtek-shən

noun