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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share