smoke detector

noun

: an alarm that activates automatically when it detects smoke

called also smoke alarm

Examples of smoke detector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Officials said many of the apartments were without smoke detectors. Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 9 Dec. 2025 The Franklin Fire Department is reminding residents to check their homes for working smoke detectors after a weekend fire involving a hot plate and an unlit scented candle caused thousands of dollars worth of damage and injured a resident. Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2025 The records also show a history of over 280 fire code violations throughout the entire apartment complex dating back through last year, including dozens found on May 6, after the fire, such as inaccessible fire extinguishers, no smoke detectors and electrical hazards. Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025 Unlicensed child care sites can be a hazard to kids and allow for poor practices to persist out of sight of state inspectors, like insufficient staff attending to kids or lacking baby gates and smoke detectors, said Gay. Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 15 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for smoke detector

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of smoke detector was circa 1927

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smoke detector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smoke%20detector. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

smoke detector

noun
: an alarm that activates automatically when it detects smoke

called also smoke alarm

More from Merriam-Webster on smoke detector

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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