Metal detector

How it is used

Officers ask passengers to empty their pockets and take off belts, watches and sometimes shoes before walking through the metal detector. If it beeps or goes off, the passenger may be checked with a hand-held wand or given a pat-down.

Example sentences

1. The metal detector went off because of my belt.

2. Please walk through the metal detector one at a time.

Common collocations

• walk through the metal detector
• the metal detector beeps
• set off the metal detector
• hand-held metal detector

Related terms

• security checkThe place and process at an airport where staff screen passengers and their cabin bags for dangerous or banned items before they reach the gates.
• body scannerA machine at airport security that you stand in with your arms raised while it checks for hidden objects under your clothes.
• pat-downA security search in which an officer moves their hands over the outside of your clothes to check for hidden items.
• trayA plastic box at airport security in which you put your bag, coat, belt and other items so they can go through the x-ray machine.

More terms: Security Screening

• liquids
• prohibited items