detect

verb

de·​tect di-ˈtekt 

dē-

detected; detecting; detects

transitive verb

1

: to discover the true character of

detecting drug smugglers

2

: to discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

detect alcohol in the blood

Do I detect a note of sarcasm in your voice?

3

: demodulate

intransitive verb

: to work as a detective

detectability

di-ˌtek-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

dē-

noun

detectable

di-ˈtek-tə-bəl 

dē-

adjective

Synonyms of detect

• find
• learn
• locate
• discover
• get

Examples of detect in a Sentence

The test is used to detect the presence of alcohol in the blood.

This type of cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages.

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers had previously detected CDWs on the material’s surface using scanning tunneling microscopy, but something did not fit, as magnetic fields could destroy the waves. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026

The research didn't detect any significant partisan differences among US adults on whether social media fuels political division. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2026

Later, as the company relies more and more on the AI for a combination of coding help and strategic advice, the AI might use subtle persuasion to reduce resources spent on safety and tamper with experiments designed to detect AI deception. — Geoffrey Irving, Time, 3 Oct. 2026

That exposed surprising but realistic scenarios of hard-to-detect unethical behavior in employees. — Monideepa Tarafdar, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin detectus, past participle of detegere to uncover, detect, from de- + tegere to cover — more at thatch

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for detect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• direct
• dissect
• effect
• eject

Kids Definition

detect

verb

de·​tect di-ˈtekt 

: to discover the nature, existence, presence, or fact of

detect the approach of an airplane

detectable

-ˈtek-tə-bəl 

adjective

detection

-ˈtek-shən

noun