noun
detector
dih-TEK-ter/dɪˈtektər/
A device or person that finds or identifies something.
The smoke detector responds to the thin plume rising from the kitchen.
Etymology
An agent of uncovering was originally a person who revealed something hidden. The name later extended to an instrument that reveals a thing’s presence or state.
In context
radiation measurements were taken from a detector positioned halfway down the maze wall
More examples
- A metal detector located the buried object.
- Several detectors monitored the laboratory air.
- The detector needed a fresh battery.
Forms
detector · detectors