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

Billboard on Tuesday also affirmed its goal to be transparent about what songs on its chart were made with AI, working with Luminate’s new proprietary AI detector to determine which songs that rank on its charts are made with the technology. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

The researchers also had to build specialized rooftop facilities and integrate their optics, control systems, communications equipment, quantum sources, and detectors so that equipment separated by 21 kilometers could operate as one experiment. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026

Many law enforcement agencies use integrated tools such as facial recognition, gunshot detectors, predictive policing, drones and real-time crime centers that pull all this information into one central hub used by investigators. — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 22 Aug. 2026

By July, another detector, Antizuck Smart Glasses Scanner, was nearing the top of iPhone charts, also charging $3 for the service. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 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