# detect

/dɪˈtɛkt/ (US) · /dɪtˈɛkt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/detect
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to discover or notice

verb · CEFR B2

to find or notice something that is not easy to see, hear, or smell.

For teachers: to discover or identify the presence or existence of something subtle or hidden. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- The test can detect very small amounts of sugar in the blood.
- Modern sensors are capable of detecting minute changes in atmospheric pressure long before a storm becomes visible to the naked eye.

### 2. to work as a detective

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal

to work on a mystery or solve a crime like a detective.

For teachers: to perform the duties of a detective or engage in investigative work. Intransitive — used without a direct object.

- He spent the weekend detecting, trying to find out who ate the last cookie.
- The retired officer couldn't resist the urge to go detecting when he noticed the suspicious patterns in the local property records.

Usage: This sense is often used playfully or in the context of hobbyist investigation.

## Examples

- The alarm can detect even a tiny amount of smoke.
- Security cameras are designed to detect any movement in the building after the staff leaves for the night.
- Modern medical imaging allows doctors to detect physiological changes at a cellular level long before the patient begins to exhibit outward symptoms of the disease.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.