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
Jeffrey SteingartenOnce inside the theater, the crowd had to pass through an airport-style metal detector as a security precaution.—Richard Zoglin
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
Time for KidsExamples of metal detector in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Wrestlers often travel by subway or bus, and pass through metal detectors to enter schools.
—Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Looting has been happening for centuries, but today’s criminals have turned to advanced technologies—including sonar, drones and underwater metal detectors—to pluck treasure from shipwrecks and other ancient sites beneath the Mediterranean Sea, per the AP.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
There was a shooting at the high school nearly a year ago, prompting the use of metal detectors and clear backpacks, according to FOX 4.
Wilmer-Hutchins High School will be closed for the remainder of the week, and additional officers will be stationed at other district schools, Elizalde said.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The School District equipped every high school with walk-through metal detectors at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metal detector
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Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Looting has been happening for centuries, but today’s criminals have turned to advanced technologies—including sonar, drones and underwater metal detectors—to pluck treasure from shipwrecks and other ancient sites beneath the Mediterranean Sea, per the AP.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
There was a shooting at the high school nearly a year ago, prompting the use of metal detectors and clear backpacks, according to FOX 4.
Wilmer-Hutchins High School will be closed for the remainder of the week, and additional officers will be stationed at other district schools, Elizalde said.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The School District equipped every high school with walk-through metal detectors at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metal detector
Cite this Entry
“Metal detector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metal%20detector. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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