noun
- a person or thing that detects.
- a device for detecting smoke, fire, or some other hazardous condition.
- a device for detecting the presence of metal, contraband, or other items that might be hidden or concealed.
- Telecommunications.
- a device for detecting electric oscillations or waves.
- a device, as a crystal detector or a vacuum tube, that rectifies the alternating current in a radio receiver.
noun
- a person or thing that detects
- any mechanical sensing device
- electronics a device used in the detection of radio signals
1540s, from Latin detector “uncoverer, revealer,” agent noun from detectus, past participle of detegere (see detect).