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Glite Dictionary
radar echo

radar echo

1 6.0
A signal that bounces back to a radio device and shows where something is
  • noun
  • /ˈreɪˌdɑr ˈɛkoʊ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : eco de radar
  • But the instruments on ERS-1 and 2 only work over very flat areas and tend to lose track of the radar echo over steeper areas around the continent's coast, so a vital piece of the puzzle is still missing, says Vaughan.

Examples

  • Scientists analyze the radar echo to track the movement of storms and predict their paths.

  • The pilot relied on the radar echo to navigate through the stormy weather safely.

  • During the search operation, the radar echo revealed the location of the sunken ship.

Synonyms

echo
vsradar echo
  • Specialized
38 6.6

A signal that returns after bouncing off something, used by radar or television

is a reflected signal that specifically reports both position and distance
blip
vsradar echo
  • Specialized
11 5.9

A small mark on a radar screen that shows where an object is

is the actual reflected electronic signal that reveals position and distance
radar target
vsradar echo
  • Specialized
1 5.3

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

is the reflected electronic signal that also gives object distance

Surface Forms

radar echo singular
radar echoes plural

Morphology

radar + echo

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'radar' (a system using radio waves to detect objects) with 'echo' (a reflected signal); together they denote the reflected radar signal indicating an object's position or distance. This straightforward noun–noun composition follows standard semantic composition and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Radar echo comes from the simple image of a radar sending a 'signal' that hits an object and bounces back like an echo, and that returning 'signal' shows the object's distance and position.