metal detector
noun
plural metal detectors
: a device that detects the presence of hidden metal: such as
a
: a security device that scans individuals for dangerous objects (such as weapons)
I boarded the plane armed with several frying thermometers, which set off the metal detector …—
Jeffrey Steingarten
Jeffrey SteingartenOnce inside the theater, the crowd had to pass through an airport-style metal detector as a security precaution.—Richard Zoglin
Richard Zoglin
b
: a handheld apparatus that uses electrical induction (see induction sense 4c) to detect the presence of metallic objects (such as coins or jewelry) buried a short distance underground
A local man using a metal detector stumbled upon the site last March. He found two copper brooches, or pins, measuring four inches across.—Time for Kids
Time for KidsExamples of metal detector in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The board approved the implementation of metal detectors for the 2025-26 school year.
—Madeleine Parrish, AZCentral.com, 6 July 2025
Footage from the day in question shows attendees rushing the entrances, barreling past security, and knocking over metal detectors.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 10 June 2025
The high school did have active metal detectors on the day of the shooting.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 10 June 2025
In just the past few months, a Romanian man used a metal detector to uncover an ancient hoard of Roman coins.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for metal detector
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Madeleine Parrish, AZCentral.com, 6 July 2025
Footage from the day in question shows attendees rushing the entrances, barreling past security, and knocking over metal detectors.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 10 June 2025
The high school did have active metal detectors on the day of the shooting.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 10 June 2025
In just the past few months, a Romanian man used a metal detector to uncover an ancient hoard of Roman coins.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for metal detector
Cite this Entry
“Metal detector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metal%20detector. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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