detector

Academic Word List, sublist 8.

About 6.64 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun 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.

2. noun An indicator showing the depth of the water in a boiler.
3. noun A galvanometer, usually portable, for indicating the direction of a current.
4. noun A device measuring radiation or electromagnetic waves.

Similar words

demodulator sensor polygraph gate wand meter scanner fid probe recognizer

Often followed by

is and for in to of was with at

Word family

detect detectable detected detecting detection detective detectives detectors detects