sonar

[ soh-nahr ]

noun

1. a method for detecting and locating objects submerged in water by echolocation.
2. the apparatus used in sonar.

sonar

/ ˈsəʊnɑː /

noun

1. a communication and position-finding device used in underwater navigation and target detection using echolocation

sonar

/ sō′när′ /

1. Short for sound navigation and ranging. A method of detecting, locating, and determining the speed of objects through the use of reflected sound waves. A sound signal is produced, and the time it takes for the signal to reach an object and for its echo to return is used to calculate the object's distance. The Doppler effect can also be used to determine the object's relative velocity. Electronic sonar systems are used for submarine navigation and for detecting schools of fish. Some mammals, especially bats, use biological sonar to navigate and detect prey in dark conditions, commonly called echolocation.
2. The equipment or physiology used in doing this.
3. See also Doppler effect

Word History and Origins

Origin of sonar¹

1940–45; so(und) na(vigation) r(anging)

Word History and Origins

Origin of sonar¹

C20: from so ( und ) na ( vigation and ) r ( anging )

Example Sentences

A more pertinent subsea sound was detected by the US Navy’s sonar system at the time the sub went missing - an acoustic signal consistent with an implosion.

From BBC

A couple of days into the search, there were reports of underwater noises picked up by a search plane’s sonar, raising the possibility they were coming from the sub.

From BBC

He’s the CEO of Sonar, which makes the code analysis software the ecoCode project uses.

From BBC

River searches had taken place since Ms Taylor was reported missing on 1 October, including the use of divers and specialist sonar equipment.

From BBC

The group is working together with tribes and state and federal agencies on a monitoring program, and scientists are using a newly installed sonar station to record images of passing fish.

From Los Angeles Times