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

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 lidar radar

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

Chinese scientists think that the sound from ships may have contributed to the demise of the Yangtze's baiji river dolphins, which used sonar to communicate.

From BBC

Waymo vehicles are built with a type of laser radar called lidar, as well as cameras, sonar and GPS.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the ensuing weeks, the California Office of Emergency Services joined the search along with the Sheriff’s Office, who used aircraft, underwater cameras and sonar technology to search for Calasanz’s body.

From Los Angeles Times

Divers scoured the water and deployed sonar scanners to search for Daniel until nightfall.

From Los Angeles Times

A typical task would be to drop sonar buoys in the sea, used to listen for submarines.

From BBC