Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun 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.
  • noun The equipment used in such detection.
  • idiom (on (one's) radar/radar screen) In one's conscious awareness as a possibility or as an existing phenomenon.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun uncountable A method of detecting distant objects and determining their position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysis of sent radio waves (usually microwaves) reflected from their surfaces
  • noun countable A type of system using such method, differentiated by platform, configuration, frequency, power, and other technical attributes.
  • noun countable An installation of such a system or of the transmitting and receiving apparatus.
  • noun countable, figuratively A superior ability to detect something.
  • verb To scan with radar, or as if with radar.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun measuring instrument in which the echo of a pulse of microwave radiation is used to detect and locate distant objects

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[ra(dio) d(etecting) a(nd) r(anging).]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Originally spelled RADAR; an acronym of radio detection and ranging.

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Examples

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  • Why do I like it? Because it's a palindrome! That's why!

    December 1, 2006

  • RAdio Detection And Ranging

    February 28, 2007