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

• 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

Advertisement The most accurate air-pollution detectors EPA’s stations are the most accurate detectors. —Matt Fuchs, Time, 10 Sep. 2025

From Hertz's controversial AI vehicle scanners to hotel vape detectors, to airline pricing algorithms possibly jacking up fares, these systems operate in the shadows while your wallet takes a hit. —Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025

Or just smarter smoke alarms and radon detectors that also check for dozens of different contaminants. —John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Test/Silence button on a household carbon monoxide alarm detector. —Nicole Kinning, Wired News, 6 Sep. 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