often attributive
1
: a device or system consisting usually of a synchronized radio transmitter and receiver that emits radio waves and processes their reflections for display and is used especially for detecting and locating objects (such as aircraft) or surface features (as of a planet)
2
: range of notice
fell off the radar after losing their first three games
Examples of radar in a Sentence
The approaching planes were detected by radar.
Recent Examples on the Web
It was seen from the air traffic tower, it was caught on radar, so multiple ways that this was being observed.
—
Liam Rappleye, Detroit Free Press, 2 July 2024
Catching bat movements on the radar is not unusual, weather service officials said, and the large emergence is likely part of the animals' daily cycle.
—Vivian Barrett, The Arizona Republic, 30 June 2024
Nominating conventions barely register on the public radar these days, for the few hours that anyone bothers to televise them while the rest of America is at the lake or the beach.
—Matt Bai, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
Iron Dome uses its radar to detect incoming rockets.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for radar 
Liam Rappleye, Detroit Free Press, 2 July 2024
Catching bat movements on the radar is not unusual, weather service officials said, and the large emergence is likely part of the animals' daily cycle.
—Vivian Barrett, The Arizona Republic, 30 June 2024
Nominating conventions barely register on the public radar these days, for the few hours that anyone bothers to televise them while the rest of America is at the lake or the beach.
—Matt Bai, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
Iron Dome uses its radar to detect incoming rockets.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for radar
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'radar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near radar
Cite this Entry
“Radar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radar. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
radar
noun
ra·dar
ˈrā-ˌdär 
: a device that sends out radio waves for detecting and locating an object by the reflection of the radio waves and that may use this reflection to find out the position and speed of the object
Etymology
from radio detecting and ranging
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