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
This new study also builds upon a discovery from earlier this year that detected carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide ice on trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) for the first time.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 20 Dec. 2024
If malaria is the culprit, there may have been ways to rapidly detect it locally, said Amira Albert Roess, a professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024
Infinite developed a test to detect artificial THC, a tool that could encourage compliance with regulations that prohibit the synthetic compound.
—Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
For more advanced operations, technologies like computer vision and drones are being adopted by some grocers to detect stockouts and streamline replenishment.
—Devadas Pattathil, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detect 
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Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 20 Dec. 2024
If malaria is the culprit, there may have been ways to rapidly detect it locally, said Amira Albert Roess, a professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024
Infinite developed a test to detect artificial THC, a tool that could encourage compliance with regulations that prohibit the synthetic compound.
—Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
For more advanced operations, technologies like computer vision and drones are being adopted by some grocers to detect stockouts and streamline replenishment.
—Devadas Pattathil, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detect
Dictionary Entries Near detect
Cite this Entry
“Detect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detect. Accessed 22 Dec. 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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