What does "detection" mean?

1. (finding or noticing) the act of finding or noticing something that is hidden or not easy to see. 2. (solving a crime) the work of finding out who committed a crime. 3. (electronic signals) the process of picking up or identifying a radio or electronic signal.

How do you use "detection"?

Often used with 'of' followed by the thing being found. Common in physics and telecommunications contexts.

detection

US //dɪˈtɛkʃən// UK //dɪtˈɛkʃən// de·tec·tion

1 finding or noticing (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act of finding or noticing something that is hidden or not easy to see.

the act or process of discovering the existence or presence of something hidden or obscure.

Example

Early detection of the disease is very important for a quick recovery.

Example

The early detection of structural flaws in the bridge prevented a potential disaster during the winter storms.

Usage

Often used with 'of' followed by the thing being found.
- concealment
- hiding
2 solving a crime (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Law

the work of finding out who committed a crime.

the investigation and discovery of criminal activity or the identity of a perpetrator.

Example

The police use new technology for the detection of digital crimes.

Example

Modern forensic techniques have significantly improved the rate of crime detection in cold cases from the previous decade.
- investigation
- exposure

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3 electronic signals (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

the process of picking up or identifying a radio or electronic signal.

the extraction of information or a signal from a carrier wave.

Example

The sensor is designed for the detection of very weak radio signals.

Example

The laboratory specialised in the detection of gravitational waves, requiring equipment shielded from even the slightest seismic interference.

Usage

Common in physics and telecommunications contexts.
- reception
- sensing

Origin

Learned borrowing from Latin dētēctiōnem. By surface analysis, detect + -ion.