sonobuoy

[ son-uh-boo-e, -boi ]

noun

, Navigation.

1. a buoy that emits a radio signal on receiving an underwater signal from a vessel.

sonobuoy

/ ˈsəʊnəˌbɔɪ /

noun

1. a buoy equipped to detect underwater noises and transmit them by radio

Word History and Origins

Origin of sonobuoy¹

First recorded in 1940–45; sono- + buoy

Word History and Origins

Origin of sonobuoy¹

from sonic + buoy

Example Sentences

“There’s lots of things in the ocean that will make noise and be heard on a sonobuoy, but there are few things that will sound like regular banging on metal,” he said.

From New York Times

The sounds were detected by a sonobuoy, a floating device equipped with hydrophones to record noise underwater, and they seemed to be occurring at 30-minute intervals, according to a report in Rolling Stone.

From New York Times

“There’s lots of things in the ocean that will make noise and be heard on a sonobuoy, but there are few things that will sound like regular banging on metal,” Mr. Eggers said.

From New York Times

A total of 236 JAU-22/B impulse cartridges used to eject sonobuoy acoustic devices from aircraft, possibly P-3 Orion sub hunters, were pulled out of Ordy Pond.

From Washington Times

A hydrophone attached to the sonobuoy by a fine wire cable is then deployed at depth.

From Forbes