From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdetectorde‧tec‧tor /dɪˈtektə $ -ər/ ●○○ AWL noun [countable] DTa machine or piece of equipment that finds or measures something a smoke detector a metal detector → lie detector
Examples from the Corpus
detector• The amount of labeled thyroxine displaced can be counted in a detector and the concentration of thyroxine calculated.• It has heat and air and detectors for propane, smoke and carbon monoxide.• The electronics inside the pistol consist of a light detector or photo-diode and a small amplifier and buffer.• Now I am in heaven - no, not dead just surrounded by metal detectors!• Could he please try out his metal detector in her yard?• Any reader wanting the right detector to suit his pocket and plenty of sound advice is welcome to give me a ring.• The detector has active anti-condensation protection to assure trouble free operation in cold-rooms. 