Definition

1. Verb:
   • To discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of something, often something that is not obvious, hidden, or present in small amounts.
   • To notice or sense something.

Usage

The verb "detect" is used to describe the action of finding or noticing something, especially something subtle, concealed, or requiring special effort or instruments to discover. It is often used in scientific, technical, medical, and security contexts.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The new security system can detect motion in complete darkness.
  • I thought I could detect a note of sarcasm in her voice.
  • The test is sensitive enough to detect even the smallest amount of the virus.

Advanced Usage

• "to detect a change/pattern": to notice or discover a difference or a recurring sequence.
  • The software can detect patterns in financial transactions that might indicate fraud.
• "to detect the presence of": to find that something is there.
  • The dogs are trained to detect the presence of explosives.

Variants and Related Words

• Detection (n): the act or process of detecting something.
  • Early detection of the disease is crucial for effective treatment.
• Detectable (adj): able to be detected.
  • The chemical is present but not detectable by standard methods.
• Detector (n): a device used to detect something.
  • A smoke detector is an essential safety device.

Synonyms

• Discover: to find something unexpectedly or in the course of a search.
• Notice: to become aware of something by seeing, hearing, or feeling it.
• Observe: to notice or perceive something and register it as being significant.
• Identify: to recognize or establish as being a particular person or thing.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Detect" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms that use the verb "detect" as their core component.)

Verb

1. discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
   • She detected high levels of lead in her drinking water
   • We found traces of lead in the paint