detector

noun

di-ˈtek-tər How to pronounce detector (audio)
Definition of detectornext
as in sensor
a device that detects some physical quantity and responds usually with a transmitted signal a motion detector to thwart burglaries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detector Why, then, has no court of law in any country, even the tiniest country in the world, accepted as admissible any AI-detector system? — Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 Future solar missions are now going to have to start taking dust into account, said Ayaz, with dedicated detectors designed to measure dust's properties close to the Sun. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 July 2026 There are hurdles to overcome with the difficulty in combining different gas-detecting sensors onto a single computer chip, compared to the simple one found in standard home carbon monoxide detectors which are programmed to sense a single gas. — Shirl Leigh june 26, New Atlas, 26 June 2026 But tracing exactly where neutrinos come from when detectors such as Antarctica’s IceCube Neutrino Observatory alert their presence has proven more difficult for astronomers. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for detector
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detector
sensor
Noun
  • At Quantum Korea 2026, South Korea’s largest quantum science and technology event, held in Seoul, deep-tech company xDots demonstrated a system called xEnergy, built around a quantum sensor named xSee.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026
  • Depending on your home, circumstances, and existing HVAC setup, this may involve adding a wireless temperature sensor upstairs or upgrading HVAC systems.
    — Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 3 July 2026
Definition of sensor

Phrases Containing detector

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detector
detectors
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Cite this Entry

“Detector.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detector. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on detector

Nglish: Translation of detector for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about detector

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