lidar

noun

li·​dar ˈlī-ˌdär How to pronounce lidar (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The lidar uncovered a quilt-like pattern of parallel ridges that range from four to 12 inches tall. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025 Plastics disappear as vapor, wheels lose their tire, and even the lidar mast on the roof quickly resembles an overcooked marshmallow. Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 9 June 2025 The 360-degree lidar vision creates a precision map of your home. & John Mihaly, PC Magazine, 27 May 2025 Waymo vehicles rely on radar and lidar sensors alongside cameras and sonar to get around. Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 5 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lidar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lidar. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!