radar

noun

ra·​dar ˈrā-ˌdär 

often attributive

1

: a device or system consisting usually of a synchronized radio transmitter and receiver that emits radio waves and processes their reflections for display and is used especially for detecting and locating objects (such as aircraft) or surface features (as of a planet)

2

: range of notice

fell off the radar after losing their first three games

Examples of radar in a Sentence

The approaching planes were detected by radar.

Recent Examples on the Web

Still Austin Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Still Austin is a distillery located in the Texas capital making some extremely good craft whiskey that should really be on more people’s radars. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 May 2024

Financial sextortion emerged on law enforcement radar about five years ago, according to Mike Prado, the deputy assistant director of the Homeland Security Investigations Cyber Crimes Center. —Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, 15 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

radio detecting and ranging

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing radar

• anti-radar
• Doppler radar
• fall off the radar
• on someone's radar (screen)
• radar astronomy
• radar beacon
• radar cruise control
• radar detector
• radar gun
• under the radar

Kids Definition

radar

noun

ra·​dar ˈrā-ˌdär 

: a device that sends out radio waves for detecting and locating an object by the reflection of the radio waves and that may use this reflection to find out the position and speed of the object

Etymology

from radio detecting and ranging