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sonar

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so⋅nar

  [soh-nahr]
Use sonar in a Sentence
–noun
1. a method for detecting and locating objects submerged in water by echolocation.
2. the apparatus used in sonar.
Also called, British, asdic.

Origin:
1940–45; so(und) na(vigation) r(anging)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Acoustic Processing
Boards & systems for high-channel count Sonar and Vibration Analysis
www.ge-ip.com
Stop Weeds and Algae
Pond and lakeshore weed control. Products and advice from the pros.
www.lakelawnandpond.com
so·nar   (sō'när')   
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).]
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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Word Origin & History

sonar 
1946, from first letters of "sound navigation ranging," on pattern of radar.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Science Dictionary
sonar   (sō'när')  Pronunciation Key 


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  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 effect, lidar, radar.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Abbreviations & Acronyms
sonar
sound navigation 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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