detectorist
noun
de·tec·tor·ist
di-ˈtek-t(ə-)rist 
plural detectorists
chiefly British
: one who uses a portable metal detector as a hobby
The trove was discovered in October near Watlington, 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of London, by 60-year-old James Mather, an amateur treasure-seeker who called the find "every detectorist's dream."—
Alastair Grant
Alastair GrantThe third, known as the Crosby Garrett Helmet, was found in a field in 2010 by a metal detectorist who wants to remain anonymous. It was sold at auction for $3.6 million.—Brad Smithfield
Brad SmithfieldExamples of detectorist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2010, a local metal detectorist discovered Gray’s dog tag.
—Reem Amro, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
Fittingly, this year marks Clucas’s 50th as a metal detectorist—the anniversary commonly associated with gifts of gold.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025
Metal detectorists visited a low embankment on Senja island a few years ago and unearthed two bronze buckles shaped like bowls.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
Some of the pieces had been found in Bribie Island National Park, officials said, and the metal detectorist had not reported the finds when they were made, violating the law.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for detectorist
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Reem Amro, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
Fittingly, this year marks Clucas’s 50th as a metal detectorist—the anniversary commonly associated with gifts of gold.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025
Metal detectorists visited a low embankment on Senja island a few years ago and unearthed two bronze buckles shaped like bowls.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
Some of the pieces had been found in Bribie Island National Park, officials said, and the metal detectorist had not reported the finds when they were made, violating the law.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for detectorist
Cite this Entry
“Detectorist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detectorist. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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