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 blurriness in Webb's API images was traced to electronic distortions arising on Webb's infrared camera detector. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025

Shakey’s motors would then follow this route, using its camera, range-finder sensors, and bump detectors to monitor its progress toward the goal. —Big Think, 4 Nov. 2025

In this latest study, Parise simulated a grid of these detectors spread across visual and auditory space. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025

For more reliable verification, try using reverse image search tools like Google Images or TinEye to trace origins, or use specialized AI image detectors like TruthScan, which scans for artificial generation artifacts with high precision. —Matt Emma, USA Today, 3 Nov. 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