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radar

 - 5 dictionary results

ra⋅dar

[rey-dahr]
–noun
1. Electronics. a device for determining the presence and location of an object by measuring the time for the echo of a radio wave to return from it and the direction from which it returns.
2. a means or sense of awareness or perception: lobbyists working under the media's radar.

Origin:
1940–45, Americanism; ra(dio) d(etecting) a(nd) r(anging)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ra·dar   (rā'där)   
n.  
  1. A method of detecting distant objects and determining their position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysis of very high frequency radio waves reflected from their surfaces.

  2. The equipment used in such detection.


[ra(dio) d(etecting) a(nd) r(anging).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

radar

A method of finding the position and velocity of an object by bouncing a radio wave off it and analyzing the reflected wave. Radar is an acronym for radio detection and ranging.

Note: Police use radar techniques to determine the speed of automobiles.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

radar 
1941, acronym (more or less) for radio detecting and ranging. The U.S. choice, it won out over British radiolocation.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Abbreviations & Acronyms
radar
radio detecting and ranging
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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