detector

noun

de·​tec·​tor di-ˈtek-tər How to pronounce detector (audio)
Synonyms of detectornext
: one that detects: such as
a
: a device for detecting the presence of electromagnetic waves or of radioactivity
b
: a rectifier of high-frequency current used especially for extracting the intelligence from a radio signal

Synonyms of detector

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Examples of detector in a Sentence

using metal detectors to improve safety at airports a motion detector to thwart burglaries
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.
Spotting an invisible signal The researchers carried out the measurement at the Chooz nuclear power plant in northern France using the Double Chooz detector. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026 Driving his son’s final path himself, Urrutia was convinced that if the wrong-way detectors had been working that night, his son would still be alive. — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 When only a small number of holes arrive from the infrared detector because of dim illumination or long-wavelength photons, they are all captured by the red layer, and the device emits a low-brightness red glow. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 The arrhythmia detector in this photomicrograph requires only about 10,000 logic gates, compared to the billions on a conventional chip. — Jackie Snow, IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for detector

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of detector was in 1541

Phrases Containing detector

Rhymes for detector

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Browse Nearby Words

detective
detector
detector bar
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Cite this Entry

“Detector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detector. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

detector

noun
de·​tec·​tor di-ˈtek-tər How to pronounce detector (audio)
1
: one that detects or warns
a smoke detector
2
: a device in a radio receiver for changing the high-frequency current of radio waves into current that can vibrate a loudspeaker to reproduce the original sound

Medical Definition

detector

noun
de·​tec·​tor di-ˈtek-tər How to pronounce detector (audio)
: one that detects
especially : a device for detecting the presence of electromagnetic waves or of radioactivity

More from Merriam-Webster on detector

Nglish: Translation of detector for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about detector

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