Detected

/dɪˈtɛktɪd/

verbIntermediate🔥Very CommonMedical
1 meaning3 questions

Definitions

1

To discover or ascertain the presence, existence, or fact of.

/dɪˈtɛktɪd/

verbneutralIntermediate
Medical

To discover or identify the presence or existence of something.

The radar detected an incoming missile.

💡 Simply: It's like finding something that's hidden or not obvious. Like when your phone finds a Wi-Fi signal or a doctor finds a disease.

👶 For kids: To find something that was hidden or you didn't know about.

More Examples

2

The police detected a pattern in the burglaries.

3

Her kindness was quickly detected by everyone.

How It's Used

Science

"Scientists detected a new particle in the experiment."

Security

"The security system detected an intruder."

Medical

"Early cancer was detected thanks to a screening."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

From Latin *detegere* meaning 'to uncover, reveal,' from *de-* (off, away) + *tegere* (to cover).

The word 'detect' has been used since the early 16th century, originally meaning 'to disclose or reveal.'

Memory tip

Think of a detective uncovering clues and solving a mystery.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to uncover"

detect a problemdetect a changedetect an errordetect a signaldetect a presence

Common misspellings

deteteddetacteddetectted

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written