detectorist
noun
de·tec·tor·ist
di-ˈtek-t(ə-)rist 
plural detectorists
chiefly British
: one who uses a portable metal detector as a hobby
The trove was discovered in October near Watlington, 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of London, by 60-year-old James Mather, an amateur treasure-seeker who called the find "every detectorist's dream."—
Alastair Grant
Alastair GrantThe third, known as the Crosby Garrett Helmet, was found in a field in 2010 by a metal detectorist who wants to remain anonymous. It was sold at auction for $3.6 million.—Brad Smithfield
Brad SmithfieldExamples of detectorist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Read More | Metal detectorists searching beach after storm find 2,500-year-old weapon.
—Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
Join 2 others in the comments View Comments Take a deep dive into these gripping stories:
— Metal detectorist Peter Heads uncovered more than 800 high-status Iron Age artifacts in 2021 in North Yorkshire, England.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Proceeds from any sale are split between the detectorists and the landowner.
—Ali Watkins, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See the find March 05, 2025 6:27 PM Read Next
World
Metal detectorist stumbles upon first-of-its-kind ancient find for Isle of Man.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
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Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
Join 2 others in the comments View Comments Take a deep dive into these gripping stories:
— Metal detectorist Peter Heads uncovered more than 800 high-status Iron Age artifacts in 2021 in North Yorkshire, England.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Proceeds from any sale are split between the detectorists and the landowner.
—Ali Watkins, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See the find March 05, 2025 6:27 PM Read Next
World
Metal detectorist stumbles upon first-of-its-kind ancient find for Isle of Man.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detectorist
Cite this Entry
“Detectorist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detectorist. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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