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

That’s usually a pretty decent sample, so, understandably, Indiana slipped off the radar, especially with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ dominant regular season. —Tony Jones, New York Times, 13 June 2025

Another thing on our radar after the close is an interview on CNBC with Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su. —Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 12 June 2025

Waymo is a company under the Alphabet (Google) umbrella that is developing driverless vehicle technology using cameras, radar and lidar sensors, and advanced computer systems. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 12 June 2025

Messick said the warning was issued after experts noticed patterns on their radar that indicated a tornado. —Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2025

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

Rhymes for radar

• adar
• afar
• ajar
• alar
• ansar
• bazaar
• bizarre
• boxcar
• boyar
• bulbar
• cachar
• cigar

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