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

Guy gets waived through the metal detector. —Matthew Impelli, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

Ryan DeVries, who works in property management and volunteers as a first responder, left his firearm in his car before attending Kirk’s event, anticipating metal detectors. —Rachel Wolf , Pilar Arias, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Even more troubling, visiting attorneys were completely exempted from pat-downs, metal detectors, or drug screenings. —Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Hune, a community partner with World Youth Connect, believes metal detectors in schools would be a step too far. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 31 Aug. 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