Metal Detector Definition, Types & Common Uses

Meaning 1：handheld metal detector (metal detector)

metal detector 🔊

/ˈmɛt.əl dɪˈtɛk.tər/

A handheld electronic device that makes a sound when it finds metal nearby.

handheld metal detector 🔊

➕

/ˈhænd.hɛld ˈmɛt.əl dɪˈtɛk.tər/

A portable electronic device that emits an audible alert when it detects metallic objects nearby, commonly used for security screening and treasure hunting.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Roots: 'metal' (Greek 'metallon') + 'detector' (Latin 'detectus', from 'detegere' to uncover).

💡 Mnemonic

Picture a security guard waving a wand that beeps when it finds metal.

📖 Example

Before boarding the plane, the security officer used a metal detector to check if anyone was carrying prohibited items. 🔊 Before boarding the plane, the security officer used a metal detector to check if anyone was carrying prohibited items.

🔗 Collocations

handheld metal detector – a portable device held in hand for detecting metal

walk-through metal detector – a large frame that scans people as they pass through

metal detector arch – the arched structure of a walk-through metal detector

🔄 Synonyms

metal finder (n.) – an informal term for a metal detector

detection wand (n.) – a handheld scanning device used for security

metal scanner (n.) – a device that scans for metallic objects

🌱 Derivatives

metal-detecting (adj.) – relating to the activity of using a metal detector

metal-detection (n.) – the process of detecting metal

metal detectorist (n.) – a person who uses a metal detector as a hobby

📖 Cultural Story

Invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1881 to find a bullet in President Garfield, the metal detector later evolved into security and hobbyist tools.