Detect
Verb
UK
/dɪˈtekt/
US
/dɪˈtekt/
Definition
To notice or find something hidden or hard to see.
Example
"The machine detected smoke."
"The doctor detected an early sign of illness during a routine medical checkup."
"Police detected a hidden camera in the room after carefully searching every corner of the house."
Explanation
Detect means to find, notice, or discover something that is not easy to see or know about. For example, doctors can detect an illness with tests, or a police officer may detect a lie during questioning. Machines like smoke detectors help detect smoke or fire in buildings. Detect is about using observation, tools, or skill to notice something hidden or unclear. Without careful attention, many things cannot be detected easily, such as small mistakes, secrets, or tiny details.