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

Cable operators and cloud giants already detect anomalies in their infrastructure. — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Rapid urine toxicology panels are not designed to detect medetomidine. — Hannah Harris Green, STAT, 26 June 2026

There are hurdles to overcome with the difficulty in combining different gas-detecting sensors onto a single computer chip, compared to the simple one found in standard home carbon monoxide detectors which are programmed to sense a single gas. — Shirl Leigh june 26, New Atlas, 26 June 2026

New World screwworm cases have been detected in livestock across several counties in Central and West Texas. — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 26 June 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