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
Under the watchful gaze of security guards, dozens of people streamed through metal detectors to enter Temple Israel one evening this month for a town hall meeting on hate crimes and domestic terrorism.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 31 May 2025
Everyone must travel through a metal detector, too.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025
According to reports, security has also been ramped up in St. Peter's Square, including metal detectors, anti-drone systems and checkpoints.
—Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
While the complaint alleged a station had gone unmanned, company officials said Arrow, which has had guards at South Brooklyn Health since March 2022, in April 2024 assigned two guards to staff a single metal detector around the clock, with a third overnight guard in place a few days a week.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metal detector
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Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 31 May 2025
Everyone must travel through a metal detector, too.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025
According to reports, security has also been ramped up in St. Peter's Square, including metal detectors, anti-drone systems and checkpoints.
—Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
While the complaint alleged a station had gone unmanned, company officials said Arrow, which has had guards at South Brooklyn Health since March 2022, in April 2024 assigned two guards to staff a single metal detector around the clock, with a third overnight guard in place a few days a week.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 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 10 Jun. 2025.
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