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
Dating apps are working to detect and remove bots using AI and algorithms, but users should stay vigilant.
—
Quora, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
These updates improve our ability to detect and prevent fraud while providing more flexible options for people to access their benefits.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
The first acts like an alarm bell for the immune system, starting the inflammatory process when the body detects an infection or injury.
—New Atlas, 12 Apr. 2025
The two camps are among five areas in Sudan where famine was detected by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global hunger monitoring group.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detect
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Quora, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
These updates improve our ability to detect and prevent fraud while providing more flexible options for people to access their benefits.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
The first acts like an alarm bell for the immune system, starting the inflammatory process when the body detects an infection or injury.
—New Atlas, 12 Apr. 2025
The two camps are among five areas in Sudan where famine was detected by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global hunger monitoring group.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detect
Cite this Entry
“Detect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detect. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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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