Pronunciation: /ˈsoʊˌnɑr/

Definitions of sonar

noun a system for the detection of objects underwater and for measuring the water's depth by emitting sound pulses and detecting or measuring their return after being reflected

Example Sentences

A1 A sonar is a device used to detect objects underwater.

A2 The submarine used sonar to navigate through the ocean.

B1 The sonar system on the ship helped to locate the missing plane.

B2 The advanced sonar technology allowed scientists to map the ocean floor with great accuracy.

C1 The military vessel was equipped with state-of-the-art sonar equipment for detecting enemy submarines.

C2 The scientist used sonar data to study the behavior of marine mammals in their natural habitat.

Examples of sonar in a Sentence

formal The navy uses sonar technology to detect submarines underwater.

informal I heard they're using sonar to find the lost shipwreck.

slang Let's sonar this place before we dive in.

figurative Her intuition acted like a sonar, picking up on hidden emotions.

Grammatical Forms of sonar

past tense

sounded

plural

sonars

comparative

more sonar

superlative

most sonar

present tense

sounds

future tense

will sound

perfect tense

has sounded

continuous tense

is sounding

singular

sonar

positive degree

sonar

infinitive

to sound

gerund

sounding

participle

sounding

Origin and Evolution of sonar

First Known Use: 1943 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The word 'sonar' is an acronym derived from 'SOund Navigation And Ranging'. It was coined during World War II by the US Navy.
Evolution of the word: Originally used specifically for underwater detection and navigation, 'sonar' has evolved to encompass a broader range of technologies and applications in acoustic sensing and imaging.