detect

verb

de·​tect di-ˈtekt 

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

: demodulate

intransitive verb

: to work as a detective

detectability

di-ˌtek-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

dē-

noun

detectable

di-ˈtek-tə-bəl 

dē-

adjective

Synonyms

• ascertain
• descry
• determine
• dig out
• dig up
• discover
• dredge (up)
• ferret (out)
• find
• find out
• get
• hit (on or upon)
• hunt (down or up)
• learn
• locate
• nose out
• root (out)
• rout (out)
• rummage
• run down
• scare up
• scout (up)
• track (down)
• turn up

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 have been detected in 14 states, according to an update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Jonel Aleccia, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024

Its intelligent imaging analysis recognizes more fonts than before, as well as can detect text that is vertical or shows up across multiple lines. —PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024

South Korea's military detected the missiles upon launch, then tracked, and monitored them, while sharing relevant information with the U.S. and Japan. —Hakyung Kate Lee, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024

This phishing technique is particularly dangerous because of its strategic design: • No Malicious Links or Attachments: Many phishing attempts are detected by email filters looking for suspicious links or attachments. —Lars Daniel, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

detect

verb

de·​tect di-ˈtekt 

: to discover the nature, existence, presence, or fact of

detect the approach of an airplane

detectable

-ˈtek-tə-bəl 

adjective

detection

-ˈtek-shən

noun