detection

noun

de·​tec·​tion di-ˈtek-shən How to pronounce detection (audio)
1
: the act of detecting : the state or fact of being detected
2
: the process of demodulating

Examples of detection in a Sentence

I don't know how the errors managed to avoid detection for so long. my detection of the scent of baked apple pie led me to the kitchen
Recent Examples on the Web The School Board will ultimately decide whether or not to acquire a weapons detection system. Marc Hayot, arkansasonline.com, 8 Mar. 2024 Amplify agreed to pay about $13 million to local governments and the U.S. Coast Guard, and to install a new leak detection system. Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2024 Nearly 400 police dogs in Ohio trained in the detection of marijuana will need to be retired because they cannot be reliably retrained. Patrick Orsagos, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 Despite its strappy details and lace texture, the bodysuit is discreet enough to wear under a variety of garments without detection. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 The minimum range for forward detection was extended to 500 feet because collisions are increasingly dangerous as the vehicle’s speed increases. Leaf Jiang, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 For years, the city clinic had provided mammograms important for the early detection of breast cancer and other screenings through the Well Woman Program, a federally and state-funded program that covers the cost of such screenings for women with little or no health insurance. Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2024 There are quarterly leak detections done on city water lines and staffers also monitor water use to lower the amount of water in the soil, officials said. Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 Meanwhile, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler decided not to pursue the gunshot detection software for the city in June. Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of detection was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near detection

Cite this Entry

“Detection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detection. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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