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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
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
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
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Harrison said by rewarding detectives, the detective track will help the NOPD to keep the most skilled investigators in those important roles, where they are needed.
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The department's detective bureau was investigating the incident.
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Anyone with information about the car fire is asked to call the East Cleveland Police Department's detective bureau at 216-451-1234.
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Manchester Police Chief Ian Hopkins said substantial progress has been made but detective work remains.
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Schiller's fidelity to Trump was on full display Tuesday, when the former New York Police Department detective hand-delivered the letter that informed the FBI the President was canning Comey.
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Detective chief inspector Jane Tennison was the gateway drug.
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In this Tuesday, May 2, 2017, New York Police detective Slawek Dziubek turns to check on fellow Emergency Services Unit officers during a training exercise climb up the south cable of the Brooklyn Bridge, in New York.
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Anyone with information is asked to call the Avon Lake Police Department's detective bureau at 440-933-2211.
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
detective
Definition of detective
: one employed or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible
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
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Indiana State Police detectives were called to the scene and suspect foul play.
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The Burbank Police Department, which had been alerted that South Pasadena detectives were serving a warrant, was subsequently notified of the shooting and is now the lead investigating agency for the incident.
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To help keep costs in line, the council deleted one detective position, saving the city about $175,000 annually.
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Detectives responded to the scene and were checking for any missing person reports in the area.
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Detectives were canvassing the neighborhood Thursday night for information or potential witnesses.
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Ryota (Hiroshi Abe) is a former novelist who’s now a private detective for a shady little office that mostly finds lost dogs.
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For nearly three decades, detectives have sought to solve the theft of $500 million of artwork—including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas, and Manet—from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.
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Journalists could spend more time reporting and writing, aided by a plethora of assistive writing tools, while detectives could analyze the contradictions in suspect testimony earlier.
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
1849
DETECTIVE Defined for English Language Learners
detective
playDefinition of detective for English Language Learners
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: done in order to find out hidden or unknown information
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: of or relating to crimes and detectives
detective
Definition of detective for English Language Learners
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: a police officer whose job is to find information about crimes that have occurred and to catch criminals
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: a person whose job is to find information about something or someone
DETECTIVE Defined for Kids
detective
playDefinition of detective for Students
1 : a police officerwho investigates crimes and catches criminals
2 : a person whose job is to find information about someone or something
Law Dictionary
detective
Legal Definition of detective
: a person engaged or employed in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible a police detective hired a private detective
Learn More about detective
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See words that rhyme with detective Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for detective Spanish Central: Translation of detective Nglish: Translation of detective for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of detective for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about detective
Seen and Heard
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