detectorist

noun

de·​tec·​tor·​ist di-ˈtek-t(ə-)rist How to pronounce detectorist (audio)
plural detectorists
chiefly British
: one who uses a portable metal detector as a hobby
The trove was discovered in October near Watlington, 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of London, by 60-year-old James Mather, an amateur treasure-seeker who called the find "every detectorist's dream."Alastair Grant
The third, known as the Crosby Garrett Helmet, was found in a field in 2010 by a metal detectorist who wants to remain anonymous. It was sold at auction for $3.6 million.Brad Smithfield

Examples of detectorist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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On that lucky day in 2019, the first coin the detectorists unearthed featured William’s likeness. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024 A little over a year ago, a group of metal detectorists found a hoard of 21 coins in a field near Okehamption Castle in Devon, England. Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 23 Oct. 2024 In early 2019, seven metal detectorists found a cache of 2,584 coins dating to the Norman Conquest in southern England. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024 One of the most historic hoards ever found was discovered in England by a metal detectorist, called the Staffordshire Hoard. Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for detectorist 

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of detectorist was in 1984

Dictionary Entries Near detectorist

Cite this Entry

“Detectorist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detectorist. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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