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

The space-time ripples were discovered by LIGO's twin detectors in Livingston, Louisiana and Hanford, Washington. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 July 2025

Now, an unprecedented merger between two huge black holes has been reported by detectors based in Washington and Louisiana. —Ruairi MacKenzie, Discover Magazine, 16 July 2025

Best Amazon Prime Day Tech Deals Some of the most genius travel tech is being discounted for Prime Day, such as this hidden camera detector that uses infrared and laser technology to scan a room, and alerts you to any unseen cameras. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025

But since Bear can only monitor one carrier at a time, the detector dog team plans to recruit a new canine this year. —Emilie Takahashi, Oc Register, 11 July 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