often attributive
1
: a device or system consisting usually of a synchronized radio transmitter and receiver that emits radio waves and processes their reflections for display and is used especially for detecting and locating objects (such as aircraft) or surface features (as of a planet)
2
: range of notice
fell off the radar after losing their first three games
Examples of radar in a Sentence
The approaching planes were detected by radar.
Recent Examples on the Web
How an aircraft loss is detected The crash of a military aircraft can be detected by loss of radio communication and radar contact or by visual verification by nearby aircraft.
—
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
As the Hill Country lands on more travelers' radars, Johnson City is quietly holding its own against its more popular neighbors, with tons of great places to eat and sip on Hill Country wines.
—Jill Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2026
Despite being on the city’s radar since 2022, San Jose officials failed to banish the existing building’s blight.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
The radar, an AN/TPY-2, is a crucial piece of equipment for the US’ high-end THAAD missile interception system.
—Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for radar
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Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
As the Hill Country lands on more travelers' radars, Johnson City is quietly holding its own against its more popular neighbors, with tons of great places to eat and sip on Hill Country wines.
—Jill Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2026
Despite being on the city’s radar since 2022, San Jose officials failed to banish the existing building’s blight.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
The radar, an AN/TPY-2, is a crucial piece of equipment for the US’ high-end THAAD missile interception system.
—Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for radar
Cite this Entry
“Radar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radar. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
radar
noun
ra·dar
ˈrā-ˌdär 
: a device that sends out radio waves for detecting and locating an object by the reflection of the radio waves and that may use this reflection to find out the position and speed of the object
Etymology
from radio detecting and ranging
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