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
Over a dozen sheriff’s deputies ushered people through metal detectors and searched bags outside of a meeting room at the county administration building.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2025
The decision to pilot metal detectors at Antioch High School was not made lightly.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025
The detector weighed less than 14 kilograms and operated much like the metal detectors used by beachcombers today.
—IEEE Spectrum, 8 Jan. 2025
In September 2021, the House Committee on Ethics fined Crenshaw $5,000 for bypassing the Capitol metal detectors before entering the chamber's Republican cloakroom.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for metal detector 
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Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2025
The decision to pilot metal detectors at Antioch High School was not made lightly.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025
The detector weighed less than 14 kilograms and operated much like the metal detectors used by beachcombers today.
—IEEE Spectrum, 8 Jan. 2025
In September 2021, the House Committee on Ethics fined Crenshaw $5,000 for bypassing the Capitol metal detectors before entering the chamber's Republican cloakroom.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for metal detector
Dictionary Entries Near metal detector
Cite this Entry
“Metal detector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metal%20detector. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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