detector

noun

de·​tec·​tor di-ˈtek-tər 

: one that detects: such as

a

: a device for detecting the presence of electromagnetic waves or of radioactivity

b

: a rectifier of high-frequency current used especially for extracting the intelligence from a radio signal

Synonyms

• sensor

Examples of detector in a Sentence

using metal detectors to improve safety at airports

a motion detector to thwart burglaries

Recent Examples on the Web

To bypass it, the Genius approached the sensor with a homemade polyester shield and placed it right in front of the detector to prevent it from picking up on the team’s body heat. —Yasmeen Hamadeh, People.com, 10 Aug. 2025

The trigger system tells the detector to disregard the data that is not of interest, while saving the data of interest. —IEEE Spectrum, 10 Aug. 2025

The particles reflect light onto the detector that measures the light pulse, and the longer the pulse, the larger the size of the particulate matter. —Lisa Wood Shapiro, Wired News, 9 Aug. 2025

During the tour, Scott pointed toward a space in the lobby where airport-style detectors will be used during elections to maintain safety. —Lauren Brensel, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing detector

• lie detector
• metal detector
• radar detector
• smoke detector

Rhymes for detector

• bisector
• collector
• connector
• corrector
• defector
• deflector
• director
• dissector
• effector
• ejector
• elector
• erector

Kids Definition

detector

noun

de·​tec·​tor di-ˈtek-tər 

1

: one that detects or warns

a smoke detector

2

: a device in a radio receiver for changing the high-frequency current of radio waves into current that can vibrate a loudspeaker to reproduce the original sound

Medical Definition

detector

noun

de·​tec·​tor di-ˈtek-tər 

: one that detects

especially : a device for detecting the presence of electromagnetic waves or of radioactivity