detectorist
noun
de·tec·tor·ist
di-ˈtek-t(ə-)rist 
plural detectorists
chiefly British
: one who uses a portable metal detector as a hobby
The trove was discovered in October near Watlington, 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of London, by 60-year-old James Mather, an amateur treasure-seeker who called the find "every detectorist's dream."—
Alastair Grant
Alastair GrantThe third, known as the Crosby Garrett Helmet, was found in a field in 2010 by a metal detectorist who wants to remain anonymous. It was sold at auction for $3.6 million.—Brad Smithfield
Brad SmithfieldExamples of detectorist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Last July, metal detectorists found a trove of ancient jewelry and gold coins near ruins in Hippos.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Metal detectorists Nick Yallope and Peter Nicolas found the pieces while searching land owned by farmer Geraint Jenkins in Ceredigion, according to a news release from Welsh national museum Amgueddfa Cymru.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The Tudor jewel was discovered in a field by a metal detectorist in 2019.
—Reuters, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detectorist
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Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Metal detectorists Nick Yallope and Peter Nicolas found the pieces while searching land owned by farmer Geraint Jenkins in Ceredigion, according to a news release from Welsh national museum Amgueddfa Cymru.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The Tudor jewel was discovered in a field by a metal detectorist in 2019.
—Reuters, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detectorist
Cite this Entry
“Detectorist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detectorist. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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