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

The events — the first was detected in 2004 and the second in 2023 — are the first collisions between large objects directly imaged in any solar system outside our own. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Dec. 2025

Weak shaking has been detected and several residents reported feeling the tremor in and around the Ojai area according to the USGS DYFI report. —Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 20 Dec. 2025

Crews have also detected methane gas from the well. —Michele Gile, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025

Using the Two-meter Twin Telescope at Tenerife's Teide Observatory, researchers detected a faint jet of gas and dust blasting from 3I/ATLAS, slowly wobbling as the comet rotates. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 19 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