as in sensors
a device that detects some physical quantity and responds usually with a transmitted signal
a motion detector to thwart burglaries
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Recent Examples of detectors
So, scientists need reliable detectors for microwave photons.
—
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
Armed with artificial lights, Marco sat his sister at a desk across from a golden cryostat, which her colleagues use to freeze detectors to temperatures colder than the vacuum of space to hunt for subatomic particles zipping by.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Appellate court judges reversed the most serious charge against him, finding that a superior court judge failed to hold a hearing to establish the scientific legitimacy of Shotspotter gunfire detectors.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2026
There’s little rigorous research nationwide proving that weapon detectors prevent school shootings.
—Jeff Amy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
While en route to and from the moon, the four-person Artemis 2 crew will be vigilant, eyeing radiation detectors and listening for caution and warning alarms.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The residue on my fingers might set off bomb detectors at security.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Fines paid by drivers are fueling substantial new revenue for governments, police and the for-profit camera operators, with Miami-Dade’s network of speed detectors generating at least $2 million a month last year — and that doesn’t include the camera networks operated by individual cities.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
School safety The Barrow County School District installed weapons detectors at its three high schools after a student was accused of having a weapon at Apalachee High shortly after another student allegedly shot and killed four people at the school.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
Armed with artificial lights, Marco sat his sister at a desk across from a golden cryostat, which her colleagues use to freeze detectors to temperatures colder than the vacuum of space to hunt for subatomic particles zipping by.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Appellate court judges reversed the most serious charge against him, finding that a superior court judge failed to hold a hearing to establish the scientific legitimacy of Shotspotter gunfire detectors.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2026
There’s little rigorous research nationwide proving that weapon detectors prevent school shootings.
—Jeff Amy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
While en route to and from the moon, the four-person Artemis 2 crew will be vigilant, eyeing radiation detectors and listening for caution and warning alarms.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The residue on my fingers might set off bomb detectors at security.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Fines paid by drivers are fueling substantial new revenue for governments, police and the for-profit camera operators, with Miami-Dade’s network of speed detectors generating at least $2 million a month last year — and that doesn’t include the camera networks operated by individual cities.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
School safety The Barrow County School District installed weapons detectors at its three high schools after a student was accused of having a weapon at Apalachee High shortly after another student allegedly shot and killed four people at the school.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detectors
sensors
Noun
-
Nebraska, which received $218 million for the rural health grants' first installment, plans to spend some $90 million on healthier food options at schools, recruiting more health care workers and mobile sensors to remotely monitor chronically ill patients in rural areas, among other things.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
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In the field of prosthetics, such sensors could help create artificial limbs that provide users with a more natural sense of touch, improving control and comfort.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detectors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detectors. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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