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

Atmospheric transmission, sky background, and detector noise also factored into the calculations. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026

This is where voice activity detectors (VAD) are used in the voice agent. — Jashwanth Pedapudi, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

For nearly 50 years the agency has recommended wider use of the detectors. — Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

Keep scrolling to shop more hotel security essentials, from a door stop alarm to a hidden camera detector and more. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 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