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sonar

sonar

79 4.0
A device that uses sound to find objects under water
  • noun
  • /ˈsoʊnɑr/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sonar
  • The marine biologists used sonar to map the underwater terrain and locate schools of fish.
  • use sonar
  • a sonar system
  • active sonar

You know cavitation is right, so you know no sound, but you can see it with sonar.

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Examples

  • Set up a sonar probe immediately.

  • We'll just use the sonar.

  • I design software for sonar devices.

  • Total loss of power on all sonar sets.

  • We have a sonar fix on subject.

  • Could be a simple matter of checking the sonar here.

  • Submarine sonar systems work by sending out a pulse of sound and listening for the echo.

  • Typically, a research ship with SONAR crisscrosses the ocean in a grid pattern, marking the water.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Scientists use SONAR to help sailors navigate by making maps of underwater hills and valleys.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Oceanographers use the Posidonia sonar system to track remotely operated undersea vehicles from their survey ship.

    Academic text (2000)

Synonyms

sounder
vssonar
  • Specialized
11 7.9

A device that measures water depth by sending sound and listening for its return

focuses on detecting and locating objects, not just measuring depth
echo sounder
vssonar
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A device that measures water depth by sending sound and timing the echo

locates various underwater objects, not limited to seabed depth
depth finder
vssonar
  • Specialized
1 5.0

A device that shows how deep the water is

uses acoustic pulses only to detect and locate underwater objects
asdic
vssonar
  • Archaic
9.9

A machine that sends sound pulses underwater and listens for echoes to find submarines

is a general device that locates underwater objects using acoustic echoes
sonic depth finder
vssonar
  • Specialized
7.6

A device that uses sound waves to measure how deep water or things under it are

is broader, using sound pulses rather than only ultrasound

How Powerful

sonar
  • Specialized
79 4.0
echo sounder
  • Specialized
1 5.3

Surface Forms

sonar singular
sonars plural

Etymology

Sonar comes from the English words sound, navigation, and ranging, so it literally means using 'sound' to find and measure things. Think of sonar like radar but with sound waves, which is why sonar systems send pulses and listen for echoes to detect objects underwater.