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sonar

   Also found in: Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
so·nar  (snär)
n.
1. A system using transmitted and reflected underwater sound waves to detect and locate submerged objects or measure the distance to the floor of a body of water.
2. An apparatus, as one in a submarine, using sonar.
3. Echolocation.

[so(und) na(vigation and) r(anging).]

sonar [ˈsəʊnɑː]
n
(Electronics) a communication and position-finding device used in underwater navigation and target detection using echolocation
[from so(und) na(vigation and) r(anging)]

sonar  (snär)
1. Short for sound navigation and ranging. A method of detecting, locating, and determining the speed of objects through the use of reflected sound waves. A sound signal is produced, and the time it takes for the signal to reach an object and for its echo to return is used to calculate the object's distance. The Doppler effect can also be used to determine the object's relative velocity. Electronic sonar systems are used for submarine navigation and for detecting schools of fish. Some mammals, especially bats, use biological sonar to navigate and detect prey in dark conditions, commonly called echolocation.
2. The equipment or physiology used in doing this. See also Doppler effectlidarradar
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sonar
An electrical impulse is converted into sound waves that are transmitted underwater. The sound waves are reflected off objects in their paths, creating echoes that return to the vessel and are picked up by the sonar equipment.

A sonic device used primarily for the detection and location of underwater objects. (This term is derived from the words "sound navigation and ranging.")
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.sonarsonar - a measuring instrument that sends out an acoustic pulse in water and measures distances in terms of the time for the echo of the pulse to return; "sonar is an acronym for sound navigation ranging"; "asdic is an acronym for antisubmarine detection investigation committee"
measuring device, measuring instrument, measuring system - instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something
navigational instrument - an instrument used for navigating
pinger - a pulse generator used for echo sounding in sonar
pulse generator - a generator of single or multiple voltage pulses; usually adjustable for pulse rate
pigboat, submarine, U-boat, sub - a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
Translations
sonar [ˈsəʊnɑːʳ] Nsonar m
sonar [ˈsəʊnɑːr] nsonar m
sonar
nSonar(gerät) nt, → Echolot nt
sonar [ˈsəʊnɑːʳ] nsonar m inv
sonar [ˈsəʊnɑːʳ] nsonar m inv


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