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
Cases as of Tuesday have been detected in 101 herds from Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.
—
Sam Ogozalek, Orlando Sentinel, 23 June 2024
Instead, credit dermatologists, who are detecting skin cancers at earlier stages and saving lives.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 21 June 2024
According to a preliminary tally from the National Centers for Environmental Information, 1,117 tornadoes were detected between January and May of this year, the highest count over this time frame since 2011.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 21 June 2024
Inspectors detected smoke coming from the men’s restroom and asked the restaurant insure no smoking is happening in the facility.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for detect 
Sam Ogozalek, Orlando Sentinel, 23 June 2024
Instead, credit dermatologists, who are detecting skin cancers at earlier stages and saving lives.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 21 June 2024
According to a preliminary tally from the National Centers for Environmental Information, 1,117 tornadoes were detected between January and May of this year, the highest count over this time frame since 2011.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 21 June 2024
Inspectors detected smoke coming from the men’s restroom and asked the restaurant insure no smoking is happening in the facility.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for detect
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 30 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share