detected

Everyday

1. Detected is the past form of detect, which means to notice or find something that is hard to see, hear or smell. tree →
2. Detected means found by a machine or test, like a smoke alarm or scanner. tree →

In the lessons

In science, instruments detect things like heat, light, sound and movement; in safety, smoke alarms detect smoke and carbon monoxide alarms detect a dangerous gas. In stories, detectives detect clues. Phrases: was detected, detected by, no signs detected.

Examples

• The smoke alarm detected smoke and beeped loudly. tree →
• The dog detected the smell of food in the bag. tree →
• Scientists detected a new planet. tree →
• The sensor detected movement and the light switched on. tree →
• The doctor detected a small problem with my ear. tree →
• No mistakes were detected in her work. tree →
• The radar detected a storm coming. tree →
• I detected it at once, and put my paw on it, looking as I did so at the woman. tree →

Note

Past and past participle of detect: detected. Nouns: detection, detector, detective. Safety: test smoke alarms regularly; if one goes off, get out and stay out.