metal detector

noun

plural metal detectors

: a device that detects the presence of hidden metal: such as

a

: a security device that scans individuals for dangerous objects (such as weapons)

I boarded the plane armed with several frying thermometers, which set off the metal detector …

—Jeffrey Steingarten

Once inside the theater, the crowd had to pass through an airport-style metal detector as a security precaution.

—Richard Zoglin

b

: a handheld apparatus that uses electrical induction (see induction sense 4c) to detect the presence of metallic objects (such as coins or jewelry) buried a short distance underground

A local man using a metal detector stumbled upon the site last March. He found two copper brooches, or pins, measuring four inches across.

—Time for Kids

Examples of metal detector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on security for that event, yet there were no metal detectors, no effective weapons screening, and no meaningful safeguards to prevent firearms from entering a crowded public gathering. — Ben Wheeler june 12, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026

Metal Tubes With Wings Before the September 11 attacks closed terminals to the unticketed, anyone could pass through the metal detectors and go right up to the gate. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026

No metal detector had been used to screen passengers at the gate. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026

Beteille said his group was waved through a metal detector before another security employee pushed them forward, knocking over part of it. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for metal detector

• photodetector
• bisector
• collector
• connector
• corrector
• defector
• deflector
• director
• dissector
• effector
• ejector
• elector