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 of detector

• 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

This means that new detectors must be capable of detecting and tracking individual particles in both space and time with increasing precision. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026

This eight-piece starter kit comes with a base station, a contact sensor, a motion detector, a keypad and a range extender and features tool-free installation. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026

Guests are subject to a metal-detector screening, visual inspection and bag inspection. —Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 2 Mar. 2026

Because gravitational wave detectors like LIGO Hanford, LIGO Livingston, Virgo, and KAGRA are all at different locations on Earth, there are slight time delays between when the signals arrive in the various detectors. —Big Think, 25 Feb. 2026

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