detective

adjective de·tec·tive \ di-ˈtek-tiv \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of detective

1 : fitted for or used in detecting something

had perfected his detective sensibilities

2 : of or relating to detectives or their work

a detective novel

—

detectivelike

play \-ˌlīk\ adjective

See detective defined for English-language learners

See detective defined for kids

Examples of detective in a Sentence

We had to do some detective work to find out who used to own the property.
He enjoys reading detective novels.

Recent Examples of detective from the Web

Well, Westworld is a puzzle, and so self-aware about that fact that the rollout for Season 2 featured an elaborate tease for the show’s Redditor-detective fan base involving rickrolling and 21 minutes of a dog sitting at a piano.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Promethean Puzzles of Westworld," 22 Apr. 2018
Anyone with information is asked to call the Akron Police Department's detective bureau at 330-375-2490.

— evan macdonald, cleveland.com, "Akron man fatally shot in city's Middlebury neighborhood," 17 Apr. 2018
By then the Millars had settled in Santa Barbara, Calif., and Kenneth had begun writing detective novels too, eventually using the pen name Ross Macdonald.

— tom nolan, WSJ, "‘Collected Millar’ Review: She Kept Us in Suspense," 13 Apr. 2018
Anyone with information about the truck or the man is asked to call the police department detective bureau at 203-254-4840 or text ‘FPD’ plus your tip to CRIMES (274637).

— christine dempsey, courant.com, "Fairfield Police: Watch For "Stocky" Knifepoint Robber," 2 Apr. 2018
Anyone with information about the teens is asked to call the Akron Police Department's detective bureau at 330-375-2490.

— evan macdonald, cleveland.com, "Woman attacked by teens while calling 911 to report large fight at Akron park," 30 Mar. 2018
Sam and Twitch: True Detectives by Todd McFarlane Productions: Eight issues focusing on the two detective characters central to the Spawn mythos.

— graeme mcmillan, The Hollywood Reporter, "Image Unveils Millarworld/Netflix Plans and New Comic Book Projects," 21 Feb. 2018
Anyone with information about the holdup or the robber is asked to call the Fairfield Police detective bureau at 203-254-4840, or text a tip to CRIMES (274637).

— christine dempsey, courant.com, "Robber Wearing Purple Bandanna Robs Store At Knifepoint, Fairfield Police Say," 26 Mar. 2018
This narrative style fits the game’s 1950s detective noir film aesthetic.

— michael moore, The Verge, "A Case of Distrust is a minimalist noir story," 18 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'detective.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of detective

1732

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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detective

noun

Definition of detective

: one employed or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible

See detective defined for English-language learners

Examples of detective in a Sentence

She is a detective on the police force.
Detective Sgt. Lee is working on the case.
She hired a detective to follow her husband.

Recent Examples of detective from the Web

Boston police detectives arrested a 31-year-old Worcester man Wednesday in connection with a brazen, fatal stabbing in the South End earlier this week, police said.

— danny mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, "Boston police arrest suspect in connection with fatal stabbing of man in South End," 9 May 2018
Costs to hire an officer are going up If positions aren't added soon, Gafvert warned that police cases will be assigned to fewer detectives and law enforcement could be delayed in getting to the bottom of crimes.

— lily altavena, azcentral, "Mesa to vote on public-safety tax hike, 1st of several money requests that may hit ballot," 9 May 2018
The boy had told Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office detectives that Palimattom opened an application with child pornography, records show.

— marc freeman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Priest's slander lawsuit against diocese stopped by appeals court," 9 May 2018
Hours later, detectives saw the surveillance video from Fresco y Mas supermarket clearing Clinch, sources told the Herald.

— Fox News, "Miami police offer 'mea culpa' after incorrectly announcing arrest of suspected murderers," 8 May 2018
Former Charlotte-Mecklenburg police detective Garry McFadden took the lead in early returns for the Democratic Mecklenburg County sheriff's primary, with 56 percent of the vote just after polls closed.

— jane wester, charlotteobserver, "Former CMPD detective takes early lead in Mecklenburg County sheriff's race | Charlotte Observer," 8 May 2018
Narcotics detectives opened an investigation and questioned Hawkins on March 16.

— michelle hunter, NOLA.com, "JPSO corrections officer accused of smuggling marijuana into Gretna jail," 8 May 2018
Homicide detectives searched the area for witnesses but found no suspect.

— hudson sangree, sacbee, "Oak Park shooting victim identified | The Sacramento Bee," 7 May 2018
But the facts of what happened that night weren't as clear cut as detectives Jen Daley and Bob Thompson thought.

— erin moriarty, CBS News, "Brutal throat slashing of Utah mom takes investigation on an unexpected path," 5 May 2018

First Known Use of detective

1849

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

detective Synonyms

Synonyms

investigator, operative, private detective, private eye, private investigator, sherlock, sleuth;

Related Words

shadow, tail, tracer, tracker;

fed, Federal, G-man, narc (or nark) [slang], plainclothesman;

DETECTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

detective

adjective

Definition of detective for English Language Learners

: done in order to find out hidden or unknown information
: of or relating to crimes and detectives

detective

noun

Definition of detective for English Language Learners

: a police officer whose job is to find information about crimes that have occurred and to catch criminals
: a person whose job is to find information about something or someone