echolocation

noun

echo·​lo·​ca·​tion ˌe-kō-lō-ˈkā-shən 

: a physiological process for locating distant or invisible objects (such as prey) by sound waves reflected back to the emitter (such as a bat) from the objects

Examples of echolocation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dolphins tend to be social, live in groups and use different methods of echolocation like buzzes, whistles or slapping their tail against the water to communicate with one another, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. —Paloma Chavez july 7, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2025

The results provide evidence for the hypothesis that spiders crouch to sense differences in web frequencies to locate prey that isn't moving—something analogous to echolocation. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2025

The new tech, which could reveal more valuable insights into echolocation and predator-prey interactions, is described in a study published 8 January in IEEE Sensors Letters. —IEEE Spectrum, 28 Jan. 2025

Moreover, the noise pollution associated with deep-sea mining technologies also has the potential to harm cetaceans, species like dolphins and whales that use echolocation to communicate, even though these creatures largely inhabit waters miles above where the direct impact of mining would be. —Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1944, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for echolocation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

echolocation

noun

echo·​lo·​ca·​tion ˌek-ō-lō-ˈkā-shən 

: a process for locating distant or invisible objects by means of sound waves reflected back to the sender from the objects