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 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
See all Example Sentences for detect 
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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
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 24 Nov. 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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