detect

verb

de·​tect di-ˈtekt How to pronounce detect (audio)
dē-
detected; detecting; detects

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to work as a detective
detectability noun
detectable adjective

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 That can actually detect even the most advanced probe. Stephen Cass, IEEE Spectrum, 20 Mar. 2024 The study's researchers gathered data by combining aerial infrared spectroscopy from the six regions – taken by flying planes over huge areas and reflecting sunlight to rapidly detect the largest emissions – with simulated field measurements from potential sources of methane emissions. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024 The analysis uses satellite imagery to detect sinking and rising land to help paint a more precise picture of exposure to flooding both today and in the future. Delger Erdenesanaa, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 The approach, which uses shortwave infrared observations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), can detect large-emitting events of around tens of metric tons an hour or larger. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024 Instead, the Mini 12 detects brightness levels and only fires the flash when needed. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024 Scientists detected a huge number of nanoplastics in bottled water sold in the United States. Nanoplastics, which are about 100,000 times smaller than a sheet of paper is thick, are even smaller and potentially more damaging than microplastics. Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 16 Mar. 2024 This will help in being able to detect changes during breast self-examinations. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 If these chemicals are detected on a faraway planet, there is potential that life may exist on that world, marking it as a major target of interest for further research. Popular Science, 7 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.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin detectus, past participle of detegere to uncover, detect, from de- + tegere to cover — more at thatch

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of detect was in 1574

Dictionary Entries Near detect

Cite this Entry

“Detect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detect. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

detect

verb
de·​tect di-ˈtekt How to pronounce detect (audio)
: to discover the nature, existence, presence, or fact of
detect the approach of an airplane
detectable adjective
detection
-ˈtek-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on detect

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