A detective is someone whose job is to discover what has happened in a crime or other situation and to find the people involved. Some detectives work in the police force and others work privately. Detectives are appealing for witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious She hired a private detective in an attempt to find her daughter
(noun) (1) A person, usually a member of a police force, who investigates crimes and obtains evidence or information (adjective) (1) Of or relating to detectives or their work: detective novels (2) Suited for or used in detection