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

Hoagland handed me a small metal detector—the Minelab Gold Monster 2000—and began his lesson. —Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

Later — after a brief shot of Alicia walking the grounds with a metal detector — the women gather yet again for dinner. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 4 May 2026

Minutes after the photo was taken, Allen allegedly rushed past a metal detector and began shooting. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026

The filing Monday asserts that a shot was heard after Allen, who was outfitted with a shotgun, handgun and several knives, ran through a metal detector. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Apr. 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