/ Dictionary / Index P private detective: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: pri'vate detec'tive Pronunciation: [key] a detective who is not a member of an official force but is employed by private parties. Also called Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. private company private enterprise Related Content Daily Word Quiz: perspicacious Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language