DEW line

American  

[doo, dyoo] / du, dyu /

noun

1. a 3,000-mile (4,800-km) long network of radar stations north of the Arctic Circle, maintained by the United States and Canada for providing advance warning of the approach of hostile planes, missiles, etc.

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DEW line British  

/ djuː /

acronym

1. distant early warning line, a network of radar stations situated mainly in Arctic regions to give early warning of aircraft or missile attack on North America

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Etymology

Origin of DEW line

First recorded in 1955–60; D(istant) E(arly) W(arning)

Example Sentences

Canadian defense experts concede that the DEW line is outdated and that low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles can penetrate it with impunity.

From Time Magazine Archive

Because Alaska lay close to Russia, the Arctic shore soon sprouted heavily instrumented DEW line stations.

From Time Magazine Archive

Just supplying the DEW line takes $14 million a year, involves 45,000 tons of cargo, shipped by air, tankers, LSTs and barges.

From Time Magazine Archive

Soviet planes constantly probe the DEW line radars that reach from Alaska across Canada.

From Time Magazine Archive

On Thursday morning all broadcasts broke off to report that the DEW line of radars across Canada had reported objects in the air moving across the North Pole toward the United States.

From Long Ago, Far Away by Leinster, Murray