radar
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radar¹
- /ˈɹeɪdɑː/ UK
- /ˈɹeɪˌdɑɹ/ US
Rhymes with -eɪdɑː(ɹ)
Where it comes from
The noun is derived from RADAR by anacronymic evolution. RADAR is an acronym of ra(dio) d(etection) a(nd) r(anging) which was coined by Lieutenant-Commander Samuel M. Tucker and Lieutenant-Commander F. R. Furth of the United States Navy in November 1940.
The verb is probably derived from the noun.
noun radars
- In full primary radar: a method of detecting a distant object and determining its position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysing radio waves (usually microwaves) which are sent towards the object and which reflect off its surfaces; also, the field of study of this method. They were able to find the enemy fleet using radar.
- In full secondary radar: a method of detecting a distant object and determining its position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysing signals transmitted by the object in response to radio waves sent towards the object.
- Often preceded by a descriptive word: a system using one of the above detection methods, differentiated by configuration or platform, frequency, power, and other technical attributes. The Ministry of Defence funded the development of an entirely new radar and improved avionics.
- An installation of the apparatus for operating one of the above detection systems. Each of these aircraft has been upgraded with a new radar and a more powerful engine.
- Often preceded by a descriptive word: a natural (for example, in an animal such as a bat) or human-made detection method based on the analysis of reflected signals other than radio waves, as light waves or sound waves; (countable) an instance of this.
- A superior ability to detect something; an awareness, an intuition. His sensitive radar for hidden alliances keeps him out of trouble.
verb radars · radaring · radared
- To use a radar apparatus (noun senses 1, 1.1, or 2) on (someone or something); to scan (someone or something) with, or as if with, radar. This was no ordinary signal for help that Baby-John was radaring to outer space, but a call that had to be heeded, for he had just seen two hard guys go down for the final count— […]
RADAR²
- /ˈɹeɪdɑː(ɹ)/
Where it comes from
Acronym of radio detection and ranging. Coined by the United States Navy in 1940. The lowercase form (radar) is by anacronymic evolution.
noun RADARs
- Alternative letter-case form of radar Police traffic RADARs can provide a speed reading on a detected target, but they cannot measure the range to the target.
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: radiolocation, microwave radar, monopulse, radio, centimetric, sonar, hub-and-spoke, radial, par, spoke, tracking, detection, tracker, secret, grid, radarsat
Translations
Every language
noun method of detecting a distant object by analysing radio waves which are sent towards the object and which reflect off its surfaces; field of study of this metho
| Español | radar |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | 레이다 reida, 탐지기 tamjigi |
| 日本語 | レーダー rēdā, 電波探知機 denpa tanchiki |
| 中文 | 雷達 /雷达 léidá |
| हिन्दी | रडार raḍār |
| Kiswahili | rada |
| Português | radar |
| Français | radar |
| Deutsch | Radar, Funkmessgerät |
| Italiano | radar, radiotelemetro |
| Ελληνικά | ραντάρ rantár, ραδιοεντοπιστής radioentopistís |
| Română | radar |
| Русский | рада́р radár, радиолока́тор radiolokátor, РЛС RLS |
| Tiếng Việt | ra đa |
| العربية | رَادَار rādār |
| עברית | רָדָאר radár, מַכָּ״ם |
Talk about this word "radar." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/radar. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. radar. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/radar "radar." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/radar.Cite this
@misc{radar_2026,
title = {radar},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/radar},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
