Using sensitive instruments, scientists can detect trace amounts of pollutants in the water supply.
利用灵敏的仪器，科学家能够探测到供水中的微量污染物。
Certain species of moth possess ears located not on their heads but on their abdomens, an unusual placement that nonetheless allows them to detect the high-frequency echolocation calls of hunting bats from significant distances.
From a Central Ideas and Details question · Information and Ideas
A marine biologist hypothesizes that increased recreational boat traffic near a coral reef disrupts the feeding behavior of a species of reef fish that relies on quiet conditions to detect prey.
From a Command of Evidence: Textual question · Information and Ideas
Which choice best defines “detect”?
C — Find out, discover. “detect” means find out, discover.
Which word means “find out, discover”?
C — detect. “detect” means find out, discover.
detect — find out, discover. In Chinese: 探测，发现.
detect is pronounced /dɪˈtekt/.
Using sensitive instruments, scientists can detect trace amounts of pollutants in the water supply. (利用灵敏的仪器，科学家能够探测到供水中的微量污染物。)
discover, identify, perceive — all close in meaning to detect (find out, discover).
overlook, miss — each the opposite of detect (find out, discover).
Yes. detect is on the SAT Prep Basic list — the everyday academic words the SAT assumes you already have. The Digital SAT does not test vocabulary in isolation; words like this one are tested through Words in Context questions, where you choose the word that completes a passage most logically and precisely.
de(down)+tect(cover)