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
One dog is also trained to assist in SWAT operations, and another is trained to detect explosives and generally works at the courthouse.
—
Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2024
The results could help inform the way that hippos are kept in captivity, as well as helping to detect and monitor whether hippos are suffering physical issues, said Huntchinson.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 4 July 2024
The fourth was more complex, leveraging algorithms to detect protections and purify the image so that AI can train on it.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 4 July 2024
Last month, San Francisco Public Health Department officials reported that state investigators had detected H5N1 — the avian flu subtype making its way through U.S. cattle, domestic poultry and wild birds — in two chickens at a live market in May.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for detect 
Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2024
The results could help inform the way that hippos are kept in captivity, as well as helping to detect and monitor whether hippos are suffering physical issues, said Huntchinson.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 4 July 2024
The fourth was more complex, leveraging algorithms to detect protections and purify the image so that AI can train on it.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 4 July 2024
Last month, San Francisco Public Health Department officials reported that state investigators had detected H5N1 — the avian flu subtype making its way through U.S. cattle, domestic poultry and wild birds — in two chickens at a live market in May.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 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 15 Jul. 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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