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

The scientists noted that RHIC’s experiments drove advances in superconducting magnets, particle detectors, data storage, and high-performance computing. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026

Milligan officials said the fieldhouse was equipped with multiple carbon monoxide detectors that did not activate, and maintenance staff is actively investigating why the detectors did not set off alarms. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026

Fire officials are reminding residents that there should be at least one carbon monoxide detector on each level of a home. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026

Combining datasets from multiple telescopes and observations requires calibration to account for different optics, filters, and detectors. —Liz Kruesi, Quanta Magazine, 2 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