metal detector
noun
plural metal detectors
: a device that detects the presence of hidden metal: such as
a
: a security device that scans individuals for dangerous objects (such as weapons)
I boarded the plane armed with several frying thermometers, which set off the metal detector …—
Jeffrey Steingarten
Jeffrey SteingartenOnce inside the theater, the crowd had to pass through an airport-style metal detector as a security precaution.—Richard Zoglin
Richard Zoglin
b
: a handheld apparatus that uses electrical induction (see induction sense 4c) to detect the presence of metallic objects (such as coins or jewelry) buried a short distance underground
A local man using a metal detector stumbled upon the site last March. He found two copper brooches, or pins, measuring four inches across.—Time for Kids
Time for KidsExamples of metal detector in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In June, a man who lives at sea pulled out a metal detector and showed his TikTok following an impressive find: A 22-karat gold ring with a red stone on top.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
All high school students must wear ID badges during the school day and metal detectors have been added to the security measures at Pennington Field.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2025
Meanwhile, my assistant Tony — who’s only a little fella — skipped over the rope and walked behind the metal detector without anyone even noticing.
—Matthew Schnipper, Vulture, 22 July 2025
Measures should include metal detectors or X-ray machines to screen for weapons, the sheriff wrote, telling the committee that his office would be ready to assist with any efforts.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for metal detector
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
All high school students must wear ID badges during the school day and metal detectors have been added to the security measures at Pennington Field.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2025
Meanwhile, my assistant Tony — who’s only a little fella — skipped over the rope and walked behind the metal detector without anyone even noticing.
—Matthew Schnipper, Vulture, 22 July 2025
Measures should include metal detectors or X-ray machines to screen for weapons, the sheriff wrote, telling the committee that his office would be ready to assist with any efforts.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for metal detector
Cite this Entry
“Metal detector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metal%20detector. Accessed 10 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share