Definitions

1. verb

to discover or find out the presence of something, especially a crime or a fault

“The police tried to detect the source of the leak.”

2. verb

to recognize or understand the meaning or significance of something

“I detected a subtle irony in his words.”

3. noun

the act of discovering or finding out the presence of something

“The detective’s keen detective skills led to the arrest of the suspect.”

4. noun

a device or system for detecting something

“The security system uses motion detectors to alert the guards.”