detection

Everyday

1. Noticing or discovering something that is hard to see, hear or find. tree →
2. Finding out who did a crime or how it was done; detective work. tree →
3. (science) Using instruments to find and measure something, such as smoke, metal or radiation. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons detection is about sensors: smoke detection, metal detection, detecting light or sound. In safety lessons, early detection of a fire (by a smoke alarm) saves lives, and early detection of illness helps treatment. In stories, detection is what detectives do. Phrases: «early detection», «avoid detection», «escape detection», «smoke detection».

Examples

• Early detection of a fire gives you time to get out. tree →
• The thief wore gloves to avoid detection. tree →
• Bats use echoes for the detection of insects. tree →
• The new machine helps with the detection of disease. tree →
• Sherlock Holmes was a master of detection. tree →
• Metal detection at the airport finds keys and coins in your pocket. tree →
• The third daughter makes friends with the cat, which licks off the tell-tale blood, so she escapes detection. tree →

Note

Noun of «detect»; a «detector» is the device, a «detective» is the person. Mostly uncountable. In maths and science problems, «detection rate» is how many of the things present were found, e.g. 9 found out of 10 is 90%.