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

After the 2024 shooting, which led to student protests, school officials discovered the suspect in that case was able to bring a gun inside the building because of a staff member’s mistake during security checks and a broken metal detector, KXAS-TV reported. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2025

In the April 2024 incident, a student brought a handgun into the school, bypassing metal detectors and a clear-bag policy, the outlet reported, citing what officials said at the time. —Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025

One area of complaint involves the staffing of metal detectors by a private security company, Arrow Security. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025

Researchers used a combination of survey strategies to map the deposits, including metal detectors and topographical mapping with hundreds of drones, according to the study. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2025

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