detectorist

noun

de·​tec·​tor·​ist di-ˈtek-t(ə-)rist 

plural detectorists

chiefly British

: one who uses a portable metal detector as a hobby

The trove was discovered in October near Watlington, 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of London, by 60-year-old James Mather, an amateur treasure-seeker who called the find "every detectorist's dream."

—Alastair Grant

The third, known as the Crosby Garrett Helmet, was found in a field in 2010 by a metal detectorist who wants to remain anonymous. It was sold at auction for $3.6 million.

—Brad Smithfield

Examples of detectorist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The burial site was discovered two years ago by metal detectorists exploring a field on Senja, an island above the Arctic Circle in northern Norway. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 June 2025

The detectorist turned it over to the Manx Aviation and Military Museum, where it was kept safe for years. —Reem Amro, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025

On a remote island in northern Norway, metal detectorists stumbled upon a pair of bronze treasures. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025

In 2010, a local metal detectorist discovered Gray’s dog tag. —Reem Amro, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above