detected; detecting; detects
1
: to discover the true character of
detecting drug smugglers
2
: to discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
detect alcohol in the blood
Do I detect a note of sarcasm in your voice?
3
: to work as a detective
Synonyms
Examples of detect in a Sentence
The test is used to detect the presence of alcohol in the blood.
This type of cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages.
Recent Examples on the Web
The instrument had detected telltale signatures of ancient amino acids in eggshell.
—
Evan Thomas Saitta, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024
The virus, known as Type A H5N1, has been detected in a range of mammals over the last few years, but this is the first time it has been found in cattle, according to federal health and animal agencies.
—Jonel Aleccia, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
At issue is a ban passed by the legislature last July that restricts the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy, the point when fetal cardiac activity can be detected.
—Annie Gowen, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Configured to detect drones across various frequency bands, these devices, though far from perfect, have begun to save lives by providing precious additional seconds of warning before an imminent drone attack.
—IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2024
Taiwanese authorities detect around 20,000 earthquakes a year, although most of them are barely perceptible.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The Aurora detected the pickup but was unable to avoid contact.
—Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
Red tide toxins have not been detected in water samples either.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2024
On Thursday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a pilot program to install and use free-standing scanners to detect guns at subway station entrances, but there’s a mandatory 90-day waiting period before the new technology can be used and tested in the city.
—Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2024
Evan Thomas Saitta, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024
The virus, known as Type A H5N1, has been detected in a range of mammals over the last few years, but this is the first time it has been found in cattle, according to federal health and animal agencies.
—Jonel Aleccia, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
At issue is a ban passed by the legislature last July that restricts the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy, the point when fetal cardiac activity can be detected.
—Annie Gowen, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Configured to detect drones across various frequency bands, these devices, though far from perfect, have begun to save lives by providing precious additional seconds of warning before an imminent drone attack.
—IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2024
Taiwanese authorities detect around 20,000 earthquakes a year, although most of them are barely perceptible.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The Aurora detected the pickup but was unable to avoid contact.
—Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
Red tide toxins have not been detected in water samples either.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2024
On Thursday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a pilot program to install and use free-standing scanners to detect guns at subway station entrances, but there’s a mandatory 90-day waiting period before the new technology can be used and tested in the city.
—Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near detect
Cite this Entry
“Detect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detect. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detect
verb
de·tect
di-ˈtekt 
: to discover the nature, existence, presence, or fact of
detect the approach of an airplane
detection
noun
-ˈtek-shən
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