: a method or device for detecting and locating objects especially underwater by means of sound waves sent out to be reflected by the objects
also
: a device for detecting the presence of a vessel (such as a submarine) by the sound it emits in water
Examples of sonar in a Sentence
They detected the submarine by using sonar.
Recent Examples on the Web
The dramatic color images taken Tuesday by a CODA sonar system show large portions of the bridge's arched steel beams lying below the water's surface.
—
Luis Martinez, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Hamstrung by poor visibility in Baltimore’s Patapsco River, divers are using sonar to help navigate the underwater wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
Moore declared a state of emergency while rescue crews using sonar detected at least five vehicles in the frigid 50-foot-deep water: three passenger cars, a cement truck and another vehicle of some kind.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 27 Mar. 2024
At least five vehicles plunged into the water — a cement truck, three passenger vehicles and one vehicle that was unidentified — which rescue crews used sonar to detect, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace told CNN.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
After search efforts were halted, remote vehicles were sent down with sonar that plotted what exactly fell deep into the Patapsco River after the collapse, Butler said Wednesday.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024
Fishermen using sonar equipment found a vehicle at the bottom of an Illinois river that is connected to the 1976 disappearance of two men.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2024
Though Huff is known particularly for his prowess with forward-facing sonar, he’s also had a lot of experience fishing for spawners on Table Rock and Bull Shoals in Arkansas and Missouri.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 21 Feb. 2024
Then, in late November, the crew was reviewing some of the data the underwater vehicle’s sonar sensors had collected.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 31 Jan. 2024
Luis Martinez, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Hamstrung by poor visibility in Baltimore’s Patapsco River, divers are using sonar to help navigate the underwater wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
Moore declared a state of emergency while rescue crews using sonar detected at least five vehicles in the frigid 50-foot-deep water: three passenger cars, a cement truck and another vehicle of some kind.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 27 Mar. 2024
At least five vehicles plunged into the water — a cement truck, three passenger vehicles and one vehicle that was unidentified — which rescue crews used sonar to detect, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace told CNN.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
After search efforts were halted, remote vehicles were sent down with sonar that plotted what exactly fell deep into the Patapsco River after the collapse, Butler said Wednesday.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024
Fishermen using sonar equipment found a vehicle at the bottom of an Illinois river that is connected to the 1976 disappearance of two men.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2024
Though Huff is known particularly for his prowess with forward-facing sonar, he’s also had a lot of experience fishing for spawners on Table Rock and Bull Shoals in Arkansas and Missouri.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 21 Feb. 2024
Then, in late November, the crew was reviewing some of the data the underwater vehicle’s sonar sensors had collected.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 31 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sonar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Sonar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonar. Accessed 6 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sonar
noun
so·nar
ˈsō-ˌnär 
: a device for detecting the presence and location of submerged objects (as submarines) by sound waves
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