sonar (n.)

apparatus for detection underwater, 1946, from first letters of "sound navigation ranging," on pattern of radar.

Entries linking to sonar

"electronic system for locating and tracking objects at a distance by means of radio waves," 1941, acronym (more or less) from radio detecting and ranging. The U.S. choice, it won out over British radiolocation. Figurative from 1950.

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Definitions of sonar

sonar (n.)

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

Synonyms: echo sounder / asdic

From wordnet.princeton.edu

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