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Glite Dictionary
sonic depth finder

sonic depth finder

7.6
A device that uses sound waves to measure how deep water or things under it are
  • noun
  • /ˈsɒnɪk dɛpθ ˈfaɪndər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sonda de profundidad sónica
  • The ship's sonic depth finder indicated the ocean floor was 500 meters below.

Examples

  • Using a sonic depth finder, divers located the submerged wreck quickly.

  • Many fishermen use a sonic depth finder to find fish.

  • Technicians calibrated the sonic depth finder before the research vessel began its survey.

  • The sonic depth finder helped locate the shipwreck.

  • The ship's sonic depth finder indicated the ocean floor was 500 meters below.

  • Technicians calibrated the sonic depth finder before the research vessel began its survey.

  • Using a sonic depth finder, divers located the submerged wreck quickly.

Synonyms

sonar
vssonic depth finder
  • Specialized
79 4.0

A device that uses sound to find objects under water

focuses on depth measurement with ultrasound rather than general detection
sounder
vssonic depth finder
  • Specialized
11 7.9

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

relies on ultrasound waves rather than unspecified sound timing
fathometer
vssonic depth finder
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A device that uses sound waves to measure the depth of water

is the same ultrasonic instrument term for depth measurement
echo sounder
vssonic depth finder
  • Specialized
1 5.3

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

uses ultrasound waves specifically rather than general sound pulses
depth finder
vssonic depth finder
  • Specialized
1 5.0

A device that shows how deep the water is

focuses on ultrasound waves rather than sometimes using radar
sounding lead
vssonic depth finder
  • Archaic
1 9.3

A heavy metal weight tied to a rope used to measure how deep water is

uses electronic ultrasound waves rather than a manual weighted line
bathometer
vssonic depth finder
  • Archaic
9.9

A tool that measures how deep water is, for example in the sea or a lake

specifies the use of ultrasound technology rather than any method
echo sounding
vssonic depth finder
  • Specialized
6.1

A way to find water depth and underwater objects by sending sound and measuring its return time

names the ultrasonic instrument rather than the measurement method
asdic
vssonic depth finder
  • Archaic
9.9

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

is aimed at measuring depth with ultrasound rather than military detection

How Advanced

sonar
  • Specialized
79 4.0
sonic depth finder
  • Specialized
7.6
sounder
  • Specialized
11 7.9
depth gauge
  • Specialized
1 5.9
lead line
  • Archaic
1 8.1

Surface Forms

sonic depth finder singular
sonic depth finders plural

Morphology

sonic + depth + finder

The compound is compositionally built from 'sonic' (sound-based), 'depth' (distance down), and 'finder' (something that locates), so a learner who knows those words can infer it is a device that finds/measures depth using sound. Although the technical method (ultrasound) is specific, the overall meaning is directly derivable from the constituents and follows transparent noun-compounding patterns.

Etymology

The name sonic depth finder breaks into sonic ('sound'), depth ('how deep') and finder ('a tool that finds'). It sends a sound down, listens for the echo from the sea floor, and uses how long the echo takes to work out how deep the water is. That's why sonic depth finder means 'an instrument that uses sound to measure depth'.