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

For example, an agent could detect a software bug reported in a group chat, attempt to reproduce the problem and develop a fix. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026

For Cascadia operators, the new Cross Traffic Assist is designed to detect vehicles crossing the truck's forward path at intersections. — New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026

Those two independent spacecraft in geostationary orbit detected the bolide via onboard lightning imagers. — Leonard David, Space.com, 1 Nov. 2026

The security operations center (SOC) will evolve into an agentic SOC, where AI agents detect, investigate, contain and respond to threats at machine speed. — Alex Spokoiny, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

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