# detection

/dɪˈtɛkʃən/ (US) · /dɪtˈɛkʃən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. finding or noticing

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

### 2. solving a crime

noun · CEFR B2

the work of finding out who committed a crime.

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

- The police use new technology for the detection of digital crimes.
- Modern forensic techniques have significantly improved the rate of crime detection in cold cases from the previous decade.

### 3. electronic signals

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

For teachers: the extraction of information or a signal from a carrier wave.

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

## Examples

- Early detection of the problem saved us a lot of money.
- The security system uses infrared sensors for the detection of movement in the warehouse after dark.
- Advances in satellite technology have significantly improved the detection of illegal logging activities in remote parts of the rainforest that were previously impossible to monitor.

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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.