Added 10 October 2026
detector
/dɪˈtɛktə(ɹ)/ noun
Latin root: dētēctor Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about detector at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
A device capable of registering a specific substance or physical phenomenon, and that optionally sounds an alarm or triggers a warning.
Smoke detectors are mandatory in public buildings.
- An indicator showing the depth of the water in a boiler.
- A galvanometer, usually portable, for indicating the direction of a current.
Origin
Borrowed from Latin dētēctor. Equals detect + -or (agent noun forming suffix).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)