noun

detector

dih-TEHK-tuh

noun

A device that senses and signals the presence of a particular substance or condition.

"The smoke detector went off when the toast burned."

"Airport staff use metal detectors to screen passengers."

How to Use Detector

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA device that senses something specific, like smoke, metal, or motion.

Common pairings

smoke detector metal detector lie detector

detectors plural

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Can you complete this real example?

The smoke _____ went off when the toast burned.

From Latin detector, "one who uncovers" — from detegere plus the agent suffix -or.

vector hector rector sector ejector Spector director defector injector inspector collector protector