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
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
The outbreak was the 17th to be detected in the DRC since the emergence of Ebola in 1976.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026
By studying past hurricanes, AI models can identify similarities with current storms and help forecasters detect important changes earlier.
—Katie Garch, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
His infection was not immediately detected, and two nurses who cared for him in the US fell ill.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
Meanwhile, Romania radar detected multiple drones crossing into its airspace, the country’s Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for detect
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Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026
By studying past hurricanes, AI models can identify similarities with current storms and help forecasters detect important changes earlier.
—Katie Garch, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
His infection was not immediately detected, and two nurses who cared for him in the US fell ill.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
Meanwhile, Romania radar detected multiple drones crossing into its airspace, the country’s Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for detect
Cite this Entry
“Detect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detect. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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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