: a method or device for detecting and locating objects especially underwater by means of sound waves sent out to be reflected by the objects
also
: a device for detecting the presence of a vessel (such as a submarine) by the sound it emits in water
Examples of sonar in a Sentence
They detected the submarine by using sonar.
Recent Examples on the Web
In the twentieth century, sonar technology increased, particularly during World War II when sound was used for navigating underwater, Hoy says.
—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 13 Jan. 2025
Once the robot goes off for a swim, however, traditional wireless signals won’t work, but the dock has its own sonar that can talk to the robot at several bytes per second.
—IEEE Spectrum, 10 Jan. 2025
On August 20, Halibut's specialized sonar arrays and cameras located the remains of K-129 at a depth of 16,000 ft (4,900 m).
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025
For that, the team used sonar instruments on the ship to make a high-resolution 3D map of the seafloor.
—Ashley Balzer Vigil, Ars Technica, 21 Dec. 2024
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Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 13 Jan. 2025
Once the robot goes off for a swim, however, traditional wireless signals won’t work, but the dock has its own sonar that can talk to the robot at several bytes per second.
—IEEE Spectrum, 10 Jan. 2025
On August 20, Halibut's specialized sonar arrays and cameras located the remains of K-129 at a depth of 16,000 ft (4,900 m).
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025
For that, the team used sonar instruments on the ship to make a high-resolution 3D map of the seafloor.
—Ashley Balzer Vigil, Ars Technica, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sonar
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Cite this Entry
“Sonar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonar. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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sonar
noun
so·nar
ˈsō-ˌnär 
: a device for detecting the presence and location of submerged objects (as submarines) by sound waves
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