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

U.S. and Canadian authorities have already remediated much of this pollution at DEW Line stations in North America.

From Science Magazine

Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Adam and I headed out in the afternoon, traveling on the ocean ice past the DEW line complex, and then cutting across the hilly shoreline into Husky Lakes.

From New York Times

The Pentagon report appeared first on the Dew Line, an aerospace blog.

From Reuters

Built in the 1950s, the DEW line radars are now virtual museum pieces.

From Time Magazine Archive

Canadian defense experts concede that the DEW line is outdated and that low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles can penetrate it with impunity.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