radar

American  

[rey-dahr] / ˈreɪ dɑr /

noun

1. Electronics. a device for determining the presence and location of an object by measuring the time for the echo of a radio wave to return from it and the direction from which it returns.

2. a means or sense of awareness or perception.

   lobbyists working under the media's radar.

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radar British  

/ ˈreɪdɑː /

noun

1. Former name: radiolocation.  a method for detecting the position and velocity of a distant object, such as an aircraft A narrow beam of extremely high-frequency radio pulses is transmitted and reflected by the object back to the transmitter, the signal being displayed on a radarscope. The direction of the reflected beam and the time between transmission and reception of a pulse determine the position of the object

2. the equipment used in such detection

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radar Scientific  

/ rā′där /

1. A method of detecting distant objects and determining their position, speed, material composition, or other characteristics by causing radio waves to be reflected from them and analyzing the reflected waves. The waves can be converted into images, as for use on weather maps.

2. The equipment used in such detecting.

3. See also Doppler effect lidar sonar

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radar Cultural  

1. A method of finding the position and velocity of an object by bouncing a radio wave off it and analyzing the reflected wave. Radar is an acronym for ra dio d etection a nd r anging.

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Discover More

Police use radar techniques to determine the speed of automobiles.

Other Word Forms

• antiradar noun

Etymology

Origin of radar

1940–45, ra(dio) d(etecting) a(nd) r(anging)

Compare meaning

How does radar compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• sonar vs. radar

Example Sentences

The system, composed of radars, control node, and missile launchers, can intercept munitions and aircraft and will integrate within the wider air defences in the region, the ministry said.

From BBC

The year before, they flew their advanced radar to Yonaguni on Japanese military aircraft.

From The Wall Street Journal

The BBC understands the drone - with a two-metre wingspan - had been tracked by radar approaching the base, time enough to sound the air raid warning and to get people out of harm's way.

From BBC

“Our entire war machinery — missiles, radar, fighter jets — all need these heavy rare earths,” O’Connor said.

From Los Angeles Times

This radar allows it to detect and track potential targets at long ranges to provide an early warning of possible threats during combat operations.

From BBC

Related Words

• sonar