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radar

radar

268 4.1
A machine that uses radio waves to find objects and show their distance and speed
  • noun
  • /ˈreɪˌdɑr/
  • Specialized
: radar
  • The radar detected an incoming storm, helping the pilots prepare for turbulence.
  • radar system
  • weather radar
  • Doppler radar

If they fire, we're done and the Russian radars go.

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Examples

  • Stealth fighters were chosen for this mission because their low radar cross-sections make them difficult to engage.

    Academic text (1991)
  • And this giant dish is one of those radar boosters.

  • During World War II, he helped develop radar for the U.S. government.

    Academic text (2011)
  • There are other things, too, but that radar system is very important to them.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Signal strength is increasing; their search radar might pick us up any second.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Due to a technical problem with our radar tracking system, all flights are postponed until further notice.

  • Radar already shows increasing precipitation across the coastal areas and moving rather quickly to the north.

  • Wouldn't it be better if the radar was in the airplane?

  • On January 21, 2008, India launched a closely guarded Israeli-built radar spy satellite to begin gathering valuable intelligence data.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The military used radar to track the movement of enemy aircraft during the operation.

Synonyms

Doppler radar
vsradar
  • Specialized
6 3.9

A system that uses radio waves to measure how fast things move

focuses on speed measurement rather than general position detection
early warning radar
vsradar
  • Specialized
1 4.3

A radar that detects distant threats to give time to act

prioritizes long range warning rather than general presence or speed
microwave radar
vsradar
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A system that sends short bursts of microwaves to find how far away objects are

is broader and covers radio waves beyond microwaves
naval radar
vsradar
  • Specialized
1 4.3

A device on a navy ship that uses radio waves to find other ships and help it navigate

applies to vessel use rather than general land or airborne systems
radio detection and ranging
vsradar
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A system that finds distant objects like planes or ships by sending radio pulses and hearing echoes

is the formal full name for the same detection system
three-dimensional radar
vsradar
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A system that uses radio waves to show how far away, which direction, and how high objects are

emphasizes spatial coordinates rather than velocity detection

Idioms

People do not notice it because someone keeps it quiet

27 4.1

People notice and pay attention to it

18 7.1

Not noticed or known by most people

6 5.9

To avoid being noticed by other people

Compounds

Doppler radar
  • Specialized
6 3.9

A system that uses radio waves to measure how fast things move

weather radar
  • Specialized
1 3.2

A device that finds clouds and rain to help weather forecasts

radar target
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A mark on a radar screen that shows the position of a ship or plane

fire control radar
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A system that uses radio waves to aim and fire weapons at military targets

early warning radar
  • Specialized
1 4.3

A radar that detects distant threats to give time to act

radar echo
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A signal that bounces back to a radio device and shows where something is

radar beacon
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A device that receives radar signals and sends a coded signal back to help ships or planes find their position

microwave radar
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A system that sends short bursts of microwaves to find how far away objects are

radar dome
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A rounded cover that protects a radar antenna and lets radio waves pass

surface search radar
  • Specialized
1 7.0

Equipment on a ship that finds and follows other ships

air search radar
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A system on a ship that finds and tracks planes in the sky around it

naval radar
  • Specialized
1 4.3

A device on a navy ship that uses radio waves to find other ships and help it navigate

3D radar
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A radar that shows the height, direction, and distance of an object

1 5.8

A system that uses radio waves to show how far away, which direction, and how high objects are

radar fire
  • Specialized
1 7.7

Shooting at a target that radar is tracking

How Accurate

3D radar
  • Specialized
1 3.7
radar
  • Specialized
268 4.1

Surface Forms

radar singular
radars plural

Etymology

Radar began as a short name made from the words radio, detection and ranging. So, radar is a system that uses radio waves to 'detect' objects and 'measure' how far away they are.