as in sensor
a device that detects some physical quantity and responds usually with a transmitted signal
a motion detector to thwart burglaries
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Recent Examples of detector
The initial call was for a smoke detector, bringing one engine and one ladder, Boston Fire Chief of Operations Patrick Ellis said at the scene.
—
Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
What to check before buying CO detectors Experts recommend consumers check for certification labels before purchasing or installing a detector.
—Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Instead of needing sensitive light detectors, a clock based on this approach could read out time by measuring a tiny electrical current produced by the emitted electrons.
—Andrei Derevianko, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
Increasingly, teachers and schools fretting over students using artificial intelligence to complete their assignments are turning to AI detectors to catch would-be cheaters.
—Nathan Agranovsky, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detector
Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
What to check before buying CO detectors Experts recommend consumers check for certification labels before purchasing or installing a detector.
—Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Instead of needing sensitive light detectors, a clock based on this approach could read out time by measuring a tiny electrical current produced by the emitted electrons.
—Andrei Derevianko, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
Increasingly, teachers and schools fretting over students using artificial intelligence to complete their assignments are turning to AI detectors to catch would-be cheaters.
—Nathan Agranovsky, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detector
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detector
sensor
Noun
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The university researchers say the sensors detect how much pressure is coming in contact with the fabric, for how long, and if there is moisture.—
Monique John,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Quantum sensors can measure properties of system components at levels that conventional sensors simply cannot.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detector.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detector. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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