Words / B2

di-TEKT-uh/dɪˈtektə/

A detector is a device that finds or measures something, such as smoke, metal, or radiation: a smoke detector; a metal detector. Sensor is a close twin; alarm is the warning that may follow. Name the detector in the method, then the reading. Mix-up: detector vs defector (this batch); detective; do not write detector for a person searching a room with no device.

Meaning

A device that finds or measures something, such as smoke, metal, or radiation.

Examples

• “Name the detector in the method, then the reading, the science paper said.”
• “A smoke detector featured on the site plan, which is still a named zone — quote the standard if given.”

Good to know

a smoke / metal / radiation detector. Close: sensor / alarm. Trap: defector / detective / a person with no device. Science and H&S. A device that finds something — name it and quote the reading.

Near in meaning

sensor, probe, alarm

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