: a device that is similar in operation to radar but emits pulsed laser light instead of microwaves

Examples of lidar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Such flexibility could be relevant to technologies ranging from silicon-photonics lidar to other compact optical systems. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026 Duenas said that the lidar system will only record speeding cars, not every passing vehicle. Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Its 13 cameras, four lidar units, six radar units and onboard computing perceive the road and perform the entire driving task. Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026 Waymo’s self-driving vehicles, which utilize cameras, sensors and lidar, have driven more than 220 million fully autonomous miles. Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lidar

Word History

Etymology

light + radar

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lidar was in 1963

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Cite this Entry

“Lidar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lidar. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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