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
Why book The picture-perfect shores of Phuket are no secret, and under-the-radar spots are few and far between.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Latest incident involving military aircraft, passenger plane On March 18, the FAA issued a new rule requiring air traffic controllers to use radar to separate airplane and helicopter traffic near major airport arrival and departure tracks.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
This year’s team boasts seven college commits, three of whom are on the MLB Draft radar.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Under the original Envision plan, NASA would contribute a key instrument known as VenSAR, a high-resolution radar system intended to map the planet's surface features.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for radar
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Latest incident involving military aircraft, passenger plane On March 18, the FAA issued a new rule requiring air traffic controllers to use radar to separate airplane and helicopter traffic near major airport arrival and departure tracks.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
This year’s team boasts seven college commits, three of whom are on the MLB Draft radar.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Under the original Envision plan, NASA would contribute a key instrument known as VenSAR, a high-resolution radar system intended to map the planet's surface features.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for radar
Cite this Entry
“Radar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radar. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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